Minnesota Family Council spending $4.7M to ban gay marriage

By Erin Carlyle Thu., Jan. 27 2011 at 5:17 PM

Categories: GLBT

Ignite! Apparently banning gay marriage is sort of like starting a fire.

The Minnesota Family Council is trying to raise $4.7 million for its effort to pass an amendment to the state's constitution banning gay marriage.

In a brochure emblazoned with fiery images [see it here], the conservative group announced its two-year "Ignite" campaign to "achieve enduring cultural transformation."

Through educational campaigns for pastors and their flocks, advocacy, and a get-out-the-vote effort, the group intends to "restore a biblical worldview" here in pagan Minnesota. The recently mailed brochure includes a letter asking supporters to help through offerings of prayer and money.

"God has blessed MFC with the unique opportunity to be a catalyst for enduring cultural transformation rooted in spiritual renewal, for the glory of Christ and the good of our state," the brochure states.

We called MFC and haven't heard back from them yet. But the brochure makes clear that the organization has been energized by the Republican sweep in the November election and is hoping to push through legislation with the state's Republican majority.

Ignite brochure

The Minnesota Family Council says God has chosen them to fight gay rights

"'Ignite' is a two-year plan designed to fan the embers of November 2010 into a lasting movement built to achieve enduring cultural transformation--starting with passage of a constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as God designed it, the foundation of strong families and a strong society," the brochure states.

The organization plans to spend $1.71 million on education, $1.04 million on advocacy, and $2.5 million on voter guides and voter mobilization. That's a hefty goal for a nonprofit that received just $167,131 in contributions in 2009, the last year that tax documents are publicly available [tax filings here].

Minnesota Family Council

The nonprofit can't lobby, so its pushing supporters to do so

As a 501(c) organization, Minnesota Family Council risks losing its nonprofit status if it gets involved in lobbying. Perhaps that's why the part of the brochure describing its legislative program is so carefully worded:

"MFC's legislative programs will not only ensure there's a voice for timeless values at the Capitol but also engage the faith community across Minnesota to advocate on behalf of those values."

Aha. So this will be another campaign of the people. And it looks like they have a heavyweight in their corner:

"You see, God has uniquely positioned Minnesota Family Council," the brochure states.

Previously:
* Constitutional ban on gay marriage hits the fast track
* 3,000 anti-gay marriage DVDs returned to Bishop Nienstedt
* John Nienstedt's anti-gay marriage crusade draws another protest
* Target kept on giving to anti-gay politicians after Emmer fiasco

Tags:

gay marriage ban, gay rights, John Nienstedt, Minnesota Family Council, Target, Tom Emmer

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the negative campaigning associated with the same-sex marriage ban is responsible for the stress experienced by the light population. Previous studies have found that minority stress is associated with such health risks as substance abuse and risky sexual behavior.

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You may not believe it is worth it. I believe protecting marriage is worth every penny. There isn't anything they are doing that will violate their tax status.

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Peter Sparrow

Donaldkevin

You may not believe it is worth it. I believe protecting marriage is worth every penny. There isn't anything they are doing that will violate their tax status.r4i card

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You can't be a fanatically religious Christian unless you truly believe that you will personally witness the return of Jesus in your lifetime.

The past one hundred generations of Christians have shown that fanatical Christians are a dime a dozen. There's always something that will keep them believing.

Peterjack58

You may not believe it is worth it. I believe protecting marriage is worth every penny. There isn't anything they are doing that will violate their tax status.

Katie Berger Tremaine

In Perry v. Schwarzenegger, Boies and Olson meticulously laid out the legal case for marriage equality. Counsel for the Defense not only didn't lay out a legal necessity for marriage discrimination, it didn't lay out any case at all - at one point admitting "I don't know" what harm would be caused by marriage equality, and claiming that "you don't need evidence" to support the continuing discrimination against same-sex couples.

Alex

They will burn in hell. Jesus would never approve hate. What they will accomplish is that segregation. Has it ever been successful? What a waste of human life...

MitziinMN

I think I should raise 4.7 million to ban straight marriage. It only has a 50% success rate and the only people making any money are wedding planners and divorce lawyers. Leave the gays alone - this is adult bullying at it's best!

Blogmole

You may not believe it is worth it. I believe protecting marriage is worth every penny. There isn't anything they are doing that will violate their tax status. Do you think they don't know the law?