Governor Tim Pawlenty Vetoes Gay Funeral Rights Bill To Save Traditional Marriage

In a selfless act to save traditional marriage from being killed off by mean mean gay people, Governor of Minneapolis Tim Pawlenty has vetoed a bill allowing surviving same sex partners from recovering damages in the case of wrongful deaths, and more importantly executing their funeral wishes.

Commenting that the bill “addresses a nonexistent problem”, Pawlenty said that gay and lesbian couples should instead act to draw up the appropriate paperwork themselves because a “surviving domestic partner” should not be “afforded the same legal recognition” as a spouse.

Pawlenty also went on to expand his reasoning as:

“Marriage — as defined as between a man and a woman — should remain elevated in our society at a special level, as it traditionally has been,”

“I oppose efforts to treat domestic relationships as the equivalent of traditional marriage.”

Speaking out against the Governor’s decision, the executive director of Project 515, Ann Kaner-Roth said:

“The Governor’s facts are wrong,”

“Same-sex couples can’t sue for wrongful death, and current law does not provide the same level of protection for a same-sex partner trying to carry out their deceased partner’s final wishes.”

“His comment that the proposed legislation is unnecessary shows he is out of step with the experiences of real Minnesotans. Many families have faced exactly the kind of discrimination this legislation sought to prevent even though they had put in place all of the legal and other preparations available to them under current law.”

Senator Scott Dibble also support Kaner-Roth’s criticism saying:

“This bill was about basic human decency,”

“We have heard too many heart-wrenching stories of Minnesotans suffering unimaginable indignities because the current law stood in the way. It is incredibly unfortunate that we are allowing government red tape and partisan extremism to block loving couples through the final phase of life.”

He added, “It is very disappointing that the Governor is willing to politicize the most personal and difficult decisions of a person’s lifetime.”

The good news is that Pawlenty will not be looking for a third time in office. The bad news is it’s because he’s looking to run for the Presidency. Oh joy.

via The Minnesota Independent.