Current Board of Directors

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Current Board
of Directors
INTRO LETTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 1
Lee Anderson
TELLING THE STORY OF PROJECT 515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2-15
Kristin Beckmann
Kate Brickman
THE BEGINNING - ANN VIITALA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2
Dale Carpenter
Susan Cogger-Williams
THE NAMING - LEE ANDERSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5
Daniel Dvorak
Joel Graf
THE FUNDING - JOHN LARSEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6
Jane Holzer
THE CASE FOR BUSINESS EQUALITY - TOM HORNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7
Tom Knabel
Madeline Koch
A FRESH APPROACH AT THE LEGISLATURE - CRISTINE ALMEIDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8
John Larsen
Darwin Lookingbill
LAUNCHING MINNESOTANS UNITED - ANN KANER-ROTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10
Erica Mauter
Earnest Morgan
PUSHING FORWARD TO THE LEGISLATURE - RUSS TESTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13
June Noronha
Jeff Peterson
OUR LEGACY - SUSAN COGGER-WILLIAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14
Therace Risch
PERSONAL STORIES OF FAMILIES IN MINNESOTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2-15
LIST OF LEGACY CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16
PROJECT 515 TIMELINE . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16
Sheila Terryll
Russ Testa
Project 515, Inc. PO Box 50143
Minneapolis, MN 55405-0143
project515.org
David K. Wells III
Dear Project 515 supporter,
In 2006, Project 515 set out with a specific, achievable goal: To ensure that same-sex couples
and their families have equal rights and considerations under Minnesota law.
Former Board
Members
At the time, the challenges ahead of us were immense. We learned through extensive legal
research (and hence, arrived at our name) that there were at least 515 statutes in Minnesota that
discriminated against same-sex couples. With that knowledge, we set out on our mission to
convert those laws from discriminatory to inclusive for same-sex couples and their families.
Cristine Almeida
In 2007, Project 515 published our first report, Unequal Under the Law: 515 Ways Minnesota
Laws Discriminate Against Couples and Families. Now, in 2014, we are thrilled to be publishing
our final report, which tells the story of how Project 515, with the help of so many supporters
like you, changed the course of history in Minnesota.
Michael Cassidy
We completed a significant part of our mission on August 1, 2013 when the freedom to marry
law — passed by bipartisan majorities in the Minnesota House and Senate and signed into law by
Governor Mark Dayton in May 2013 — went into effect. However, it was of critical importance
for the Project 515 board and staff to wind down our organization in a strategic manner, to
ensure the progress we made was secure.
Jenny Engh
During our sunset process, we had three primary priorities. First, we continued to be available as
a resource to individuals and organizations as the freedom to marry law was implemented.
Second, we kept a presence at the legislature to make sure there were not any significant
challenges to the new law. And finally, we have worked diligently to identify a process to
transition our remaining resources to two partner organizations, OutFront Minnesota and the
Equality Federation, who have worked with us to achieve success.
We could not be more proud to present the reflections over the following pages that help to tell
the Project 515 story. We also know that there are so many untold stories that have brought us
here today, through the dedication of so many people who have been a part of Project 515's
work. Thank you for your support and leadership, and for everything you have done for ALL of
Minnesota's families. And, special thanks to the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, The Jay and
Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota, and the Gilll Foundation, for making this final
report possible.
Ron Beining
Mary Bradley
Gloria Contreras-Edin
Michael D’Amato
William Grier
Luz Maria Hernandez
Kirstin Hibbard
James Horan
Lorrie Janatopoulos
Lisa Kane
Donald McFarland
Brian Scheerhoorn
Laura Smidzik
Roderic Southall
Jim Toscano
Beverly Turner
Warmly,
Joann Usher
Bill Venne
Jake Blumberg
Interim Executive Director
John Larsen
Board Chair
Ann Viitala
1
Paul Melchert &
James Zimmerman
Reflecting on the 515 Statutes:
What the freedom to marry means to
real families in Minnesota.
“Knowing that our union would not be recognized
by Minnesota, we still felt that making a
statement of commitment in front of close
friends and family was important — ultimately
getting married in our church eight years ago.
When our twin sons arrived, it hit us that we
needed to plan differently from all of the other
married people around us. It left us with an
intense understanding of the gap that existed
in the definition of ‘marriage’. Through the work
of Project 515 and MN United, marriage was
legalized in Minnesota, providing the benefits,
security and safety in family that James and
I have been hoping for, for so long. We were
legally married in a very small ceremony in
our backyard with our twin sons acting as
ring-bearers and couldn’t be more thankful to
the rabbi who presided and the executive and
development directors from 515 who witnessed.
THANK YOU!”
The Beginning
In a way, Project 515’s roots were planted as a result of Michele Bachmann.
In 2005, she was still in the Minnesota Senate and was pushing for a state
marriage amendment. One morning, I heard yet another interview where she
talked about the dangers to society posed by lesbian and gay couples.
In my work as an attorney, I knew dozens — perhaps
hundreds — of lesbian and gay people working in
communications, public relations, advocacy, lobbying,
marketing, etc., and it struck me that we were
communicating effective messages daily for nearly
everyone in Minnesota — except ourselves.
At a visceral level, I also felt the hostile environment created by Ms. Bachmann’s
rhetoric. I was hearing from people I care about that the growing debate was
demoralizing and was taking a toll on them and their children.
So I picked up the phone and started calling those same people about doing
something to counteract the toxic messages many Minnesotans were hearing
about lesbian and gay couples and our families.
Each person I spoke with said they would help, and nearly everyone suggested
a few additional people for me to talk with. Hundreds of hours were donated by
dozens of very impressive professional people devoted to the goal of making
sure we would not have to live through a marriage amendment in Minnesota.
That’s how Equality Minnesota started.
At the urging of communications and advocacy experts, Equality Minnesota
hired Decision Resources, Ltd, a firm with extensive statewide research
experience, to conduct a statewide survey.
To the surprise of us all, the survey in January 2006 showed that a majority of
Minnesotans opposed a marriage amendment. Of that majority, some already
supported same-sex marriage, some thought a constitutional amendment
was a waste of our time and resources, and others said that they believed a
constitution should be used to protect rights, not take them away. A majority of
respondents thought lesbian and gay couples should have some sort of legal
protections, and (my personal favorite) a majority thought that lesbian and gay
people had made a positive contribution in Minnesota.
So, we decided to release the results. The marriage amendment died (for the
time being) during that 2006 legislative session.
2
- Ann Viitala
3
The Naming
We knew all along, though, that this would be a marathon — not a sprint. Those
who opposed marriage for same-sex couples would continue to demonize our
families in pursuit of the constitutional amendment they so strongly supported.
And while there are so many memories that I will always cherish about Project
515 — from the nascent conversations that sprung from our living room to the
awesome sense of achievement when marriage equality became reality — one
aspect that I will always remember are the 515 laws that gave our effort its name
and focus.
I know that focusing on laws seems odd — even for a lawyer.
Of course it is the tragic personal stories of discrimination
that real Minnesotans faced that bring the laws to life, and
Project 515 succeeded by bringing those stories forward and
giving them a voice.
But it is important to always remember the 515 laws themselves, because of the
power of the words in those laws, and the story they told as a whole. I led the
research project that uncovered those 515 laws, and in doing so I knew that the
results would be profound. But I wasn’t prepared for the impact that reading all
those laws would have on me.
Laws are meant to protect people, to better the circumstances of their lives. But
these 515 laws did the opposite. The overwhelming majority of the laws became
applicable at times of terrible personal distress — death, illness,
financial hardship.
It was a weight and a burden to read each and every one of those 515 laws —
but one I would never trade, nor will I ever forget. Those laws were always there
in my mind, and propelled me as we went through the ups and downs of the
march toward marriage equality.
The 515 laws allowed Project 515 to tell its story with our name itself — “Project
515 — what’s that?”
The answer used to be “Did you know that there are 515 laws …”
How sweet it is to now say “Did you know there were…”
- Lee Anderson
Sandra Swami
& Ward Green
“After living together for 11 years, neither of
Reflecting on the 515 Statutes:
What the freedom to marry means
to real families in Minnesota.
that our relationship was strengthened and
us thought that marriage was necessary or
our commitment to each other fortified.
even desirable. But, when volunteering for
We also realized how unfair it was that same-
Project 515, it suddenly occurred to me that,
sex couples, who did not have the legal right
along with our same-sex couple friends, we
to marry, could not have this important and
were being discriminated against, too!
added benefit that came with the sanctity
My sudden insight prompted us to revisit the
of marriage.”
idea of tying the knot. Suddenly we found
4
5
The Funding
While the research determining the number of discriminatory statutes was
underway, a small group of us continued to meet to determine just what our
focus would be and how we would achieve it. I was delighted to be a part of the
initial board, along with Lee Anderson, Mike Cassidy and Susan Cogger, when
we adopted (dared we believe!?) a specific and achievable goal: to ensure that
same-sex couples and their families have equal rights and considerations under
Minnesota law. With a new mission and key board strengths (lobbying, finance,
communications and fundraising), our next tasks were to raise money and
awareness of our mission while building a stronger board.
Luckily we had built an effective reputation with Together Minnesota! (a lobbying
coalition which several of us had helped raise money for and lead) and Equality
Minnesota. Leveraging those relationships, in
October 2007, the already
expanding founding board (we had been fortunate to add
Roderic Southall, David Wells III and Mary Bell Bradley by
this time) held our first house-party fundraiser for Project
515, which raised nearly $40,000. With those start-up funds
in place and a commitment from many to help raise more, we
were able to move forward with hiring a lobbying team and a
part-time executive director at the end of 2007.
Looking ahead, we planned to raise money through a series of fundraisers and
direct asks to individuals who could give $515 or more. We set ambitious goals,
but were always conscious of our plan to raise money and were lucky to have a
generous and flexible board of directors.
By January 2010, Project 515 was able to hire its first full-time executive director.
Ann Kaner-Roth’s impact on the organization was outstanding — and under
her leadership, we would go on to achieve sustainable financial strength and
staffing stability.
- John Larsen
The Case for Business Equality
Advocacy organizations often are judged by narrow criteria — their success
in passing or defeating a new law, the ability to move a single project forward,
or even measures as fleeting as the number of people signing a petition or
attending a rally. The most effective organizations, though, are recognized
for enduring outcomes. They fundamentally change an issue — the way it is
discussed, defined, and evaluated.
By initially drawing attention to the challenges same-sex
couples and their families had to navigate just to manage
day-to-day life, Project 515 succeeded in truly changing
the conversation. Statutory definitions of marriage, family
and other terms too often discriminated against some of
Early on, Project 515 succeeded in bringing these insults against common sense
and justice to the attention of lawmakers and the public. The organization made
incremental progress in righting some of the wrongs through legislative action.
But Project 515’s genius came in recognizing that the real breakthrough would
come only when the debate changed from the impact of discrimination on
individuals to the cost imposed on all Minnesotans. Project 515 was among the
leaders in demonstrating how important it was to the state’s economic vitality for
Minnesota to be recognized as a welcoming community.
Project 515 led the way in bringing the voice of business to the debate over
equality. It made the business case that equality and, ultimately, the freedom to
marry, was an economic imperative. By effectively linking marriage and equality
to opportunity and prosperity for all Minnesotans, it broadened the terms of the
debate and the stakeholders in success.
our state’s residents on issues as simple as obtaining a
discounted family fishing license to those as complicated
and important as end-of-life and health care decisions.
- Tom Horner
6
7
A Fresh Approach
at the Legislature
As Chief of Staff for then-Senate Majority Leader Dean E. Johnson from 2004 to 2006, one of our most daunting tasks in
the Senate was to block Michele Bachmann’s effort to put the one-man, one-woman marriage constitutional amendment
on the ballot for a vote of the general public. We were successful, thanks to the leadership of some amazing and
courageous Senators.
The founders of Project 515 had been watching these events closely. Collectively, we learned three critical lessons about
persuasion on LGBT issues that we applied directly to the way Project 515 approached its work:
We needed a new approach. We struggled during those years to convey the importance of defeating a constitutional
amendment that exclude same-sex couples from marriage. It
was time for a new approach that met
hesitant legislators at the very place they were in their thinking on our issues. This was the
brilliance of the Project 515 strategy: to focus on individual laws that greatly affected samesex couples and families in Minnesota, one law at a time, with arguments based in fact and
fairness, using real life examples.
We needed a strong and fresh message. Some legislators were extremely uncomfortable talking about or even thinking
about the LGBT community. At the same time, they were all aware that they had constituents who were a part of that
community — they were friends with them, they knew their family members, maybe they were even relatives. Project 515
made clear that there were at least 515 laws that actively discriminated against these people, and that all couples should
be treated equally. The approach was, in fact, the pre-cursor to the “Golden Rule” message we would go on to use so
strongly during in the 2012 campaign.
The messengers mattered. Liberal activists from Minneapolis and St. Paul would never be able to convince a rural farmer
from southwest Minnesota to support the LGBT community. Project 515 recruited members of the business community,
supporters in rural communities, and many other trusted messengers to help with persuasion. It used a nonpartisan, allpartisan approach to persuasion, again with an emphasis on fairness, changing one law at a time.
Without a doubt, it was the efforts of Project 515 between 2006 and 2011 that laid the foundation for the colossal fight
that lay ahead for our community, though at the time, we did not know what was to come.
- Cristine Almeida
Erica Mauter
& Missy Weldy
“We married in 2010, in the Minneapolis
8
Reflecting on the 515 Statutes:
What the freedom to marry means
to real families in Minnesota.
of marriage. The irony of having a City
City Hall Rotunda. In planning our wedding,
Hall wedding but not being able to legally
we talked about what the wedding and
marry was not lost on us. Celebrating
a marriage meant to us. In addition to
marriage equality with thousands of
celebrating our love, it was important to
other Minnesotans, three years after we
show our friends and family that we wanted
celebrated our own wedding in the same
to take on the rights and the responsibilities
place, was a thrill we’ll never forget.”
9
Margaret Miles &
Cathy ten Broeke
Reflecting on the 515 Statutes:
What the freedom to marry means to
real families in Minnesota.
“Lifted by the struggle and the lives and
deaths of our GLBT predecessors, we
lived our love stubbornly and proudly
for years. Carried by the blood, sweat,
tears, and votes of our state’s citizens
— gay and straight — we now live our
love safely and joyfully. Inspired by the
movement toward equality across our
nation, we will live our love as a beacon
for those for whom justice has not yet
arrived. We all carry each other in this
world. Thank you, Project 515, for the lift.”
Launching Minnesotans United
The night that brought the 2010 electoral returns was a devastating moment for
LGBT advocates.
With new Republican, anti-equality Minnesota House and Senate majorities,
some of our worst fears had been realized and talk of an anti-marriage
constitutional amendment began immediately.
Although there was little to point to in terms of winning marriage campaigns
of this sort, there were plenty of lessons learned, particularly from Proposition
8 in California, that helped to frame out our effort. We committed ourselves to
learning everything we could so as not to make the same mistakes.
The next six months were spent both working at the legislature to try to keep
the measure off of the ballot and planning for what, at that point, seemed like an
inevitable campaign. We worked under the assumption that nothing would stop
the bill from passing once it started moving.
In May 2011, we were far from ready — we had a splash page for the website,
a Facebook page and a logo, and not much else. But, we were ready to provide
the initial leadership needed, and we wanted to assure Minnesotans that we
would be moving forward, and fighting when the time came.
The bill took only three weeks to move through its committees, and then it was
headed to the floor. For a solid week, the State Capitol was jam packed
with advocates — Minnesotans from all over the state, parents with children,
clergy. There was singing, chanting, signs, and tears. We didn’t know when
the bill would be taken up, but we wanted to be sure there was a crowd to
bear witness.
In the middle of the night on Saturday, May 21, 2011, the Minnesota House
followed the Senate and passed Senate File 1308. The marriage constitutional
ban measure was headed to the 2012 ballot.
My counterpart from OutFront Minnesota, Monica Meyer, and I found an empty
space on the floor of the Capitol, opened my laptop, and prepared to send the
media release we’d hoped would never be necessary. That
night, I clicked
send and Minnesotans United for All Families was born from
the work of Project 515 and OutFront Minnesota. 18 months
later, that once-fledgling campaign that grew to the largest
grassroots campaign the state had ever seen would make
history by leading Minnesota to defeat the amendment on
the ballot.
- Ann Kaner-Roth
10
11
Pushing Forward
to the Legislature
Project 515 was founded with the mission to ensure that same-sex couples
and their families had equal rights and considerations under the law in the state
of Minnesota. Until the election in November 2010, we did this largely through
communication, education, and advocacy work within the legislature, the
business community and the community at large. We didn’t approach the work
with the objective of marriage equality; instead we worked to change the laws
in Minnesota, one-by-one, to provide equal rights and protections for samesex couples. After the election in 2010 — and the passage of the anti-marriage
amendment in May 2011 — that all changed, as we immediately went to work
defeating something we’d hoped we’d never have to fight.
On November 6, 2012, Minnesota became the first state in the country to defeat
a ballot measure that would constitutionally exclude same-sex couples from
marriage. In another amazing turn of events, both the Minnesota House and
Senate regained a DFL majority.
Now, after two years of working on defense, we were back on offense. Through
the efforts of Project 515 and OutFront Minnesota, and again led by Richard
Carlbom, along with board co-chairs Ann Kaner-Roth and Monica Meyer,
Minnesotans United 2.0 was born.
Our objective this time was to work proactively to legalize
same-sex marriage through the legislative process during
the 2013 session. Many told us it was too soon. They
Minnesota were exhausted from the battle over the last 18
months, and we should wait another year to try and finally
win marriage.
But by that point, our momentum was too great, and the
conversation across the state about the freedom to marry
was still going strong. We couldn’t slow down!
And we were right. On May 9, 2013 the Minnesota House, long considered the
more difficult hurdle of the two legislative bodies, passed the freedom to marry
bill with a bi-partisan vote of 75-59. Four days later, on May 13, the Senate
followed suit with a bipartisan vote of 37-30.
The next day, Governor Mark Dayton signed the freedom to marry for same-sex
couples into law in Minnesota; the 12th state in the country to do so at the time.
Our shift to the fight for marriage equality started with our backs being put up
against the wall, and being placed in the position to defend our constitution from
a hurtful, exclusionary amendment.
At that time nobody would have believed it, but the legislature gave us a great
gift in 2011 by challenging the voters of Minnesota to decide this question for
themselves. In the end, fairness and love prevailed. Love is the law in Minnesota!
said that the community, the legislature, and the state of
- Russ Testa
Laura & Kelly
Olmstead
Reflecting on the 515 Statutes:
What the freedom to marry means
to real families in Minnesota.
“It was the people and the mission that
originally drew us to Project 515. We were
blessed to have drawn up every legal
protection possible for our family, but
despite jumping through hoops and trying
everything we could, our future was still
uncertain. When our children were first born
there was nothing binding that ensured we
would both be considered their parents
should the worst happen. Project 515
helped change all that, by breaking down
this monumental cause and helping people
share their own story to make positive
change. What an incredible, life-changing
organization. Thank you.”
12
13
Reflecting on the 515 Statutes:
What the freedom to marry means to
real families in Minnesota.
Joann Usher &
Connie Nyman
“Nearly a year after marriage was legalized in
Minnesota, Connie and I will be married. We
will have been together for 23 years. We’ve
always felt that our relationship was much like
a marriage, but now we will actually be married.
There is a difference. Others have told us so.
Being married will change our relationship,
and our financial future. Getting married is
not just about us, however. It is also about
our families and friends. We hope that as they
experience their first gay wedding they will
begin to understand why this change in status
is important to us and what their support
for marriage equality means for real people,
people they love. Thank you to Project 515,
Outfront MN, and Minnesotans United for
your work.”
Our Legacy
What an incredible journey we’ve been on with Project 515.
Project 515’s legacy goes far beyond
I often reflect on that first meeting with Ann Viitala where
she asked Doug Kline and me how we could influence what
was being said about Minnesotans and a constitutional ban
on same-sex marriage.
Minnesota. We were the first state to defeat
The work of Project 515 started with individuals who
thought something needed to be done, and that we could
do it. We could make a difference.
a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex
marriage, which became a turning point in
the marriage fight nationwide. After that win,
other states and national organizations took
another look at what worked in Minnesota.
Ann took the initiative to call up some colleagues and
friends with specific skills to help tell another side of the
story. Lee Anderson had a new strategy for changing the
debate in Minnesota. John Larsen decided to raise the
funds necessary to hire a lobbyist. It took a lot of people
with a will to do the work, but each one felt that he or she
could make a difference.
Our strategies and the messaging developed
It wasn’t just our volunteer board and committee members
who felt this way. Throughout the years, Project 515 had
fiercely committed staff. It was apparent in our first interview
with Ann Kaner-Roth that she had the passion and the skills
to take Project 515 to the next level. We were so right, and
Ann’s tireless work and leadership was pivotal in making
equal rights for same-sex couples a reality in Minnesota.
recognized under the law in Minnesota, but
through the Minnesotans United effort
continue to shape campaigns across the
country. Our legacy will live on not just
through the couples and families now equally
across the country as well.
To have been able to accomplish our ambitious mission and
sunset our organization is such a privilege and honor. You
can’t argue with success!
Critical to our success was that this conversation became
about more than just the LGBT community. It became
about Minnesota, and what was best for Minnesota people
and businesses. When Minnesotans finally started asking
themselves, “What kind of state do we want to live in?,” the
answer became clear.
- Susan Cogger-Williams
14
15
Project 515 Timeline
No.
1
No.
2006
Project 515 formed.
No.
6
A conservative landslide brought antimarriage equality majorities to the
Minnesota Legislature, resulting in a
marriage amendment ultimately being put
on the 2012 ballot. Project 515 was a
founding partner, alongside OutFront
Minnesota, of Minnesotans United for All
Families, the coordinated campaign to defeat
the marriage amendment.
No.
2007
3
2007
Unequal Under the Law: 515 Ways Minnesota
Equality Minnesota becomes “Project 515
Laws Discriminate Against Couples and
Education Campaign,” officially affiliating the
Families report release.
two organizations.
No.
2011
2
7
No.
2012
8
2013
No.
4
No.
2009
5
2010
Protecting One’s Home: Passed by
Passed by legislators but unfortunately
legislators and signed into law by Governor
vetoed by Governor Pawlenty, the Final
Tim Pawlenty, this legislative change
Wishes/Wrongful Death bill would have
ensured that surviving same-sex partners
allowed surviving same-sex partners an
of a deceased partner who received medical
equal opportunity to carry out the final
assistance were protected from losing their
wishes of their deceased partners and to
home based on the deceased partner’s
seek restitution in the courts following a
medical bills.
wrongful death.
No.
9
10
No.
2013
2014
On May 9, 2013, a bipartisan 75-59 majority
On November 6, 2012, a majority of
Minnesotans voted “no” on the marriage
In February, freedom to marry legislation
amendment, and Minnesota became the
was introduced in the Minnesota Legislature.
first state in American history to defeat
Minnesotans United continued to be the
an anti-gay, anti-marriage amendment.
coordinated campaign, this time leading
The 2012 elections also brought
the efforts to lobby legislators to vote “yes”
pro-equality majorities back to the
for marriage.
voted “yes” for marriage in the Minnesota
House of Representatives. Four days later,
the Minnesota Senate voted 37-30, the final
Declaring mission complete, the Project
step necessary to send the bill to Governor
515 board votes to cease operations as an
Dayton’s desk for signature. The next day, on
organization effective June 30, 2014.
May 14, 2013, Governor Dayton signed the
freedom to marry into law, which went into
Minnesota Legislature.
effect August 1 of the same year.
Legacy Campaign Supporters
$1,000-$4,999 supporters
Brad Burns & John Rosseau
Adam Ackerman
Randy Bye & Jeffrey Myers
Ranjit & Sara Ahluwalia
Carmen & Jim Campbell
Cindy Amberger & Lynne Hvidsten
Richard Carlbom &
Justin Schramm
Ruth & Waldo Anderson
Dan Anderson
Marilyn Carlson Nelson &
Glen Nelson
Dan Avchen & David Johnson
Dale Carpenter & Arvid Nelsen
Jack Barber & Mitchell Flattum
John Carroll & Kari Rudd
Scott Beck & Jay Peyer
Ann & Michael Ciresi
Kristin Beckmann &
Robert Richman
Dave Collins
Ellen & Michael Bendel-Stenzel
Les Bendtsen
Diane Benjamin
Lee Bizik & Chuck Tombarge
Jeremy Black &
Dyshaun Muhammad
Gloria Contreras-Edin
Andy Cook
Karen Cooper & Bruce Schneier
Peter Couture & Duane Faber
Jay & Page Cowles
Paul Blom & Bob White
Russell Cowles & Josine Peters
Jake Blumberg & Christina Farhart
Betty & Jay Crothers
Gary Bolt & Jon Satter
Michael Crull & David Heide
Borenstein & McVeigh Law Offices
Christopher & Gretchen Cudak
Jim Bovino &
Jillia Pessenda Bovino
Sam Cutter-Wilson
Kathryn & John Bowman
Mary Bradley
Bob Brandt
Jennifer & John Breitinger
Tony Brenny & Thomas Harkcom
Kate & Matt Brickman
Ann & Pete Brownlee
Nicole Burg
16
Kathy & Paul Connolly
Ken Darling
David Dayton
Ronald Deharpporte
Aram Desteian
Terry Devitt & Michael Hoffman
Robert Dillon & Dale Line
Gary Domann & Brian Ellingson
Adam Domian
David Duddingston &
Clayton Halunen
Julie Goepferd &
Angela Kade Goepferd
Dan Dvorak & Matt Wenz
The Good Bead, Inc
Ward Einess
Cheryl Greene & Angie Craig
Jill & Jonathan Eisenberg
Lee & Marcia Greenfield
Trent Eisenberg
William Grier
Susan Emerson
Diane E. Grussing
Dan & Shelly Engelsma
Jerome Hager
Jenny Engh
Halunen & Associates
Dave Engstrom
Tim Hanrahan & Brian Columbus
Krista Erickson
Andrea Hanson
Steven Euller & Nancy Roehr
Jean & Jim Hartman
Faegre Baker Daniels
Karen Hawley & Charlaine Tolkien
Family Equality Council
Janis Heaney
Sarah Farley & Betty Tisel
Ralph Henn
Darlene & Neal Fehrenbach
Kirstin Hibbard
Michael Fehrenbach
Himle, Rapp & Company, Inc
Filister Enterprises
Joel Hoekstra & Eric Jensen
Justin Jones
Julian & Kaitlyn Mellini
Christina & Dwight Porter
Jonathan Tate
Wendy M. Nelson
$25,000 or more supporters
David Jones & Kathleen Pfaffinger
Margaret Miles & Cathy ten Broeke
Susan Raffo
James & Sharon Toscano
Mark Perrin
Kent Allin & Thomas Knabel
Christopher Jordan
Brian Miller
Barbara Raye
Beverly Turner
Michael Peterman & David Wilson
Lisa Kane
Dennis Miller
Tim Reardon, Eric Mann & Tess
Pat Vettling
Milo Pinkerton & Virgil Taus
Lee Anderson &
N. William Fehrenbach
Ann Kaner-Roth & Marc Roth
Lisa Miller & Bruce Palma
Lawrence Redmond
Ann Viitala
David Piper
Ari, Avia, & Isa Kaner-Roth
Minnesota Leather Pride
Andrew & Lori Riley
Steven Walker
Therace Risch
Darla Kashian
Randy Miranda
Robert Ross & Associates
Ruth & David Waterbury
William Kiffmeyer & Laysha Ward
William Morris & Diane Traxler
Becky & Mark Roloff
Nicki & Ryan Williams
Al Killion & Thomas Vance
MSP Front Runners Track Club
Drs. Simon Rosser & William West
Jennifer Wrenson
Doug Kline & William Venne
Reuben Murray
Sam & Terry Roth
Charlie & Julie Zelle
Daniel Knutson
Troy Musel & Sheila Terryll
Kristin Rowell
Madeline Koch
Curt Nelson & Eric Swanson
Sacajawea Charitable Foundation
Ryan Kroening
Robert Nelson
Julia Salmen
Terese LaLomia
Joan & Dick Niemiec
Brian Scheerhoorn
Jill Larson
June Noronha
Diane Schmidt Awsumb
Café Latte
Derek Nyberg
Richard Scott
Michael Latz, Michael Simon,
Noa & Liat
Connie Nyman & Joann Usher
Rick Scott & Dale Vandenhouten
Rebecca Olson
Whitney Shaw
OutFront MN
Jill Sletten
Philip Oxman & Harvey Zuckman
Penny & Rossi Snipper
Marsha Partington
Mark & Rebecca Sorensen
The Patrice D. Cooper Foundation
Roderic Southall
Deborah Pederson
Valerie & Ed Spencer
Chuck Peterson
Kerry Spolum
Tami Peterson
Mark & Wendy Stansbury-Odonnell
Brian Pietsch & John Walsh
Rebecca Starr
Teresa Hanratty &
Luz Maria Hernandez
Doug & Mary Platt
Trey Stover & Brian Waelti
Scott Plummer
Jason Poirier
Jereme Fish
Diane Holland & Julie Owen
Mark & Rae Lembersky
Beverly Fitzgerald
Renee Holoien & Holly Morris
Beth Ann & Doug Lennick
Beth Ford
Erica & Jane Holzer
Susan Lester & Petra Mertans
Jennifer Ford
Nanette Hoover
Randi Lyders
Brian Forney & Jack Thompson
James & Kelly Horan
Sida Ly-Xiong
Polly Foss & Laura Vanderwegen
Libby & Tom Horner
Diane Malfeld
Beth Fraser
Dan Idzik & Kathy Osborne
Erica Mauter & Missy Weldy
R. Leigh Frost & Timothy Stanley
ImageHAUS
Sam McClure
Camila Gadotti
InGroup Consulting
Sharon McDonald
Christopher Garland
Lorrie Janatopoulos
Donald McFarland
Bryan Gerber
Jayhawk Mechanical, Inc
Brian Gilligan & Steve Pospisil
Jeff Johnson
Paul Melchert &
James Zimmerman
Alan Braun & Ken Kapphahn
Jason Bright & Alex Matusevich
Carlson Family Foundation
$10,000-$24,999 supporters
Mark Addicks & Tom Hoch
Civil Marriage Collaborative,
a Proteus Fund initiative
Marc Ashton
Matthew Entenza
Shayna Berkowitz & Phyllis Wiener
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
$5,000-$9,999 supporters
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Freedom to Marry
Advance Consulting, LLC
Englesma Family Foundation
Gill Foundation
Cristine Almeida & Brian Gorecki
General Mills Foundation
The Jay & Rose Phillips Family
Foundation of Minnesota
Dana Badgerow & Kathy Barclay
Tim Gill
Ron Beining
Sam Heins & Stacey Mills
Barry Berg
Liz Jensen
Candy & Terry Birk
Darwin Lookingbill & David Potter
Michael Cassidy & Alan Holliday
Medtronic
Jill Catherwood & Jeff Peterson
Philanthrofund Foundation
Code42
Pohlad Family Foundation
Susan & Terry Cogger-Williams
RBC Wealth Management
Michael D’Amato
Research in Motion, Co
Chad DiDonato & Earnest Morgan
Steve, Kris, Calvin, Sophia &
Andy Rose
The Saint Paul Foundation
Showtime
Target
St. Jude Medical
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
Mark Hiemenz & Charlie Rounds
John Sullivan
WMN Foundation
Studio M Interiors
Kimberly Howard
Russ Testa & Dr. Chas Salmen
Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
Jody & Kevin Swanson
Kathryn Klibanoff & Jeremy Pierotti
David K. Wells III & Wren Wells
Joel Graf & Mike Maurer
John Larsen Foundation
JP Morgan Chase Foundation
Kevin J. Mossier Foundation
John A. & Karen Larsen
John E. Larsen & Michael Stewart
MediaBeacon
The Minneapolis Foundation
Robert Owens
Lois Quam
Paula Larson
17
LOVE. Too precious to legislate.
Project 515
1170 15th Ave SE, Ste 208
Minneapolis, MN 55414