Gay state senator from central Mn. will be in thick of amendment fracas...

www.twincities.com


gay state senator from central Mn. will find himself in the thick of amendment fracas...

Little Falls is some of the most conservative territory in the state. If the amendment is defeated in places like that it hasn't got a chance...

by way of FYI, a constitutional 'marriage amendment' is almost certain to be taken up in the session that just began...



LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — At a recent legislative forum here residents quizzed their state senator, Paul Koering, about roads, school funding, economic development and health care. The future of two lumber barons' century-old mansions generated the most heat among participants.

Gay marriage didn't come up at all. It is one of the most divisive topics before lawmakers this election year, and it forced Koering into a statewide spotlight after he publicly confirmed what had long been speculated: He is gay.

Koering, like most lawmakers, may yet face some difficult choices on gay marriage this year. For now, he remains hopeful that his stands on taxes and health care will matter more than his sexual orientation as he seeks election to a second term. He's heard little fear or anger about his public coming out in this conservative district covering the lake and farm country of Morrison and Crow Wing counties in central Minnesota.

"As I go out and about and I talk to people, I never have heard anything negative really," said Koering, who has no announced opposition in the Republican Party.

Koering, 41, disclosed his sexual orientation last April after he voted against bringing the constitutional amendment to the full Senate for a vote.