Advocates Raise $1.2M to Fight Minn. Antigay Amendment

The lead LGBT advocacy group opposing an amendment to Minnesota's state constitution barring gay marriage has raised $1.2 million for its campaign.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports the 2011 figures comprised donations from more than 5,100 pro-marriage equality individuals, including Minnesota Twins owner James Pohlad and Bruce Dayton, father of Minnesota governor and former senator Mark Dayton.

"Thousands of Minnesotans are beginning conversations with friends, family, and neighbors about why they need to vote no on this anti-family amendment," said Minnesotans United campaign manager Richard Carlbom. "It's not about the money, it's about the conversations." (Read the article here.)

The group backing the November antigay state ballot measure, Minnesota for Marriage, has not yet released its campaign finance reports but has a Tuesday deadline to do so.

Meanwhile, Rep. Michele Bachmann, who last week announced her congressional reelection bid after dropping out of the presidential race, spoke in support of the amendment during a Friday event for the Faith and Freedom Coalition in suburban Minneapolis. Bachmann discussed messaging strategy for winning majority support, saying, "I think if you want to talk to people who are not interested in talking about the morality you can also come at it as, 'Should people be allowed to vote?'" (More on the antigay amendment strategy session here.)