This morning we woke up in Middlebury, Indiana, just off I-80, a few minutes south of the Michigan border. As I’d never been to Michigan, we decided to have breakfast there before getting on the road. We’re planning to make it most of the way through Ohio today.

Yesterday we had a late start, lingering in Iowa City where we were so well cared for (thanks, Justin!). It made for our latest night yet, rolling into the campground at 11 p.m. It didn’t help that we lost an hour in the middle of Indiana because of the change to East Coast time. It’s our last lost hour, though, so that feels pretty good.

The KOA in Middlebury, IN was kind of deluxe. There was a pool (empty–it’s almost winter, folks), a dog run, a game room, and a petting zoo. There weren’t any animals in the petting zoo, but still, the fact that they had one was impressive.

On our way to Iowa a few days ago we took a wrong turn and wound up passing through Minnesota. Going down the two-lane state route that took us into Iowa from the southwest tip of Minnesota was harrowing. It was raining, and every time a truck passed us going in the opposite direction we were overtaken by a deluge of rainwater. But it was worth it, since we got our great shots at the Iowa border. We wouldn’t have been able to turn off for a photo op on the Interstate.

So including this morning’s minor detour into Michigan, that’s four states whose LGBT rights we haven’t covered. Good thing that the Country Table Family Restaurant has Wi-Fi and bottomless cups of coffee. This morning I will backtrack and do Minnesota.

Minnesota

• “In 1970, Jack Baker and James Michael McConnell applied for a marriage license in Hennepin County, Minnesota. They were denied and filed suit. The state won and the case, Baker v. Nelson, was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1972 refused to hear it.” [via Wikipedia] This was only the second same-sex marriage lawsuit filed in the U.S. Current Minnesota law states: “The following marriages are prohibited: . . . a marriage between persons of the same sex. A marriage entered into by persons of the same sex, either under common law or statute, that is recognized by another state or foreign jurisdiction is void in this state and contractual rights granted by virtue of the marriage of its termination are unenforceable in this state. … All marriages which are prohibited by section 517.03 shall be absolutely void, without any decree of dissolution or other legal proceedings.” There is not an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, but some groups have proposed one.
• Same-sex partners in Minnesota may not make medical decisions for their partners without advance directives. These must be in writing, dated, signed, and notarized.
• Any adult resident may adopt in Minnesota. There is no prohibition against same-sex partners jointly adopting or adopting each other’s children, but there has been no court case concerning these rights.
• After gender reassignment surgery, you may amend your Minnesota birth certificate.
• Minnesota hate crimes laws protect both gender identity and sexual orientation.
• You may not discriminate against someone in Minnesota because of sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Safe schools laws in Minnesota protect kids from bullying due to sexual orientation and gender identity. [via HRC unless otherwise noted]

There has obviously been some very good work done by LGBT activists and allies in Minnesota. Keep up the good work!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites