We have members of our extended family that are gay and lesbian and in one case, one is in a committed relationship — and a beautiful relationship… There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not a marriage!

Former Hibbing Mayor, Dick Nordvold
Source: MPR

In a fairly lengthy article, MPR talks to several Hibbing residents with opposing views on the Minnesota marriage amendment. From a heterosexual couple that are “church captains” working to “protect marriage” to the former Mayor who refused to attend his own neice’s commitment ceremony, because, as he is quoted as saying, “it’s not a marriage!”

The article also features several quotes from locals working to defeat the mean-spirited amendment. In fact, Minnesotans United for All Families even opened a local office in Hibbing to help organize folks against the amendment. “We’re going to have a nice storefront right downtown where we can have folks stop by and pick up lawn signs, and T-shirts and come in and volunteer,” according to Jamie Ebert of Minnesotans United.

Whether personal stories will change hearts and minds is yet to be seen, but Hibbing locals are sure to participate in more conversations on “gay marriage” than ever before.