MCN has weighed in multiple times on the question of equal rights for same-sex couples. It has been guided by the following:
- MCN opposes banning same-sex marriage; doing so has a negative impact on the work of nonprofits and the people they serve. Affected organizations would include those working in the areas of adoption, domestic violence, youth development, human services, health care and public education.
- MCN supports legislation to provide for marriage by all adult couples, whether opposite-sex or same-sex, in order to provide equal access to the benefits provided by nonprofit employers and the services and opportunities provided by nonprofit organizations, government and businesses.
- MCN seeks to carry out its mission, to inform, promote, connect and strengthen individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector, in a state where equality prevails, discrimination is minimized and equal opportunity is available to all.
Timeline
- 2006: MCN joined 170 other nonprofits, businesses and communities of faith in opposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would prohibit marriage, civil unions and/or legal protections for same sex-couples. The ban was defeated.
- 2011-2012: MCN joined the Minnesotans United for All Families coalition, which successfully worked to defeat the constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples on the ballot during the 2012 general election.
- 2013: MCN board adopted a position in support of legislation to provide for marriage by all adult couples, whether opposite-sex or same-sex. MCN continues participation in Minnesotans United for All Families.