According to a new Facebook page that was created yesterday, several “Ely Healthcare Professionals” ran the following ad speaking out against the mean-spirited marriage amendment:

An open letter to Gay and Lesbian members of our community:

As health care professionals in the Ely community we wish to express our support for you during this election season.

We recognize that the proposed amendment to the Minnesota state constitution which would deny marriage equality to same gender couples is harmful to you and your families.

We support equal human rights for all people regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.

The following medical and mental health associations have declared their opposition to the Minnesota Marriage Amendment:
Minnesota Psychological Association
American Psychology Association
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Medical Association
Minnesota Nurses Association
Minnesota Society for Clinical Social Work
MN Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Nursing
Mental Health Association of Minnesota
National Association of Social Workers

The family is the principal caregiver and the center of strength and support for all children.

Specifically, the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics notes the following:

1. LGBT adolescents and their families need to know they are supported by their pediatricians and their communities.
2. Marriage amendments may lead to an increase in bullying and violence against LGBT youth and greater intolerance for them and their families.
3. Nationally, nearly one-quarter of all same-sex couples are raising children and eight percent of them are raising children with special health care needs. There is ample evidence to show that children raised by same-gender parents fare as well as those raised by heterosexual parents. More than 25 years of research has documented that there is no relationship between parents’ sexual orientation and any measure of a child’s emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral adjustment.

Peggy York-Jesme, C.F.N.P.
Mary Bianco, M.D.
Cindy Anderson Bina, M.S., L.A.D.C.
Christine Braun, M.S.Ed
Joseph Bianco, M.D
Brielle Loe, M.D.
Joseph Schwinghamer, M.D.
Jim Montana, M.D.
Julie Houle, M.D.
Jeff Wilt, M.D.
Jeanann Tjader, C.F.N.P.
John Knott, M.D.

The Facebook page was created to bring awareness to the alleged fact that the owner of the Ely Shopper has no interest in supporting the LGBT community. The creator of the page quotes owner Dea Whitten as saying:

We never dreamt that gays would marry when I was a kid… If you want to put your gay wedding announcement in the Ely Shopper, bring it somewhere else.

Since day one starting this blog, I’ve focused on promoting appreciation for those businesses that support the LGBTA community. Sharing this story is not a rallying cry to boycott any business; instead, my hope is to raise awareness and help encourage conversations in Ely and across the state. Clearly, in reading the letter from the healthcare professionals above, we know that there are many folks in Ely that support equality and will be voting NO in just over 20 days!

Note: I am not affiliated with, nor do I know personally the creator of the referenced Facebook page.