Hold the Discrimination: Effective Strategies for Preventing an Anti-Gay Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution

Location

CSU 284

Start Date

25-4-2006 9:30 AM

End Date

25-4-2006 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Gender and Women's Studies

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Susan Freeman

Mentor's Department

Gender and Women's Studies

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Strong coalitions of activists have recently formed in Minnesota to campaign against the proposed discriminatory amendment prohibiting same-sex unions. In as few as 3-5 minutes of conversation, an activist has the potential to influence a voter's viewpoints. Through participatory research and surveys of an informal organization of activists in Mankato during spring 2006,1 identified the most persuasive arguments that influenced individuals to vote against the amendment. Activists were most successful in changing voters' opinions when they shared their own personal testimonials as well as those of family members and friends. This allowed voters to clearly imagine how the consequences of the amendment would affect same-sex partners. The results of this study will assist activists in their future campaigning against the same-sex union amendment.

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Apr 25th, 9:30 AM Apr 25th, 12:00 PM

Hold the Discrimination: Effective Strategies for Preventing an Anti-Gay Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution

CSU 284

Strong coalitions of activists have recently formed in Minnesota to campaign against the proposed discriminatory amendment prohibiting same-sex unions. In as few as 3-5 minutes of conversation, an activist has the potential to influence a voter's viewpoints. Through participatory research and surveys of an informal organization of activists in Mankato during spring 2006,1 identified the most persuasive arguments that influenced individuals to vote against the amendment. Activists were most successful in changing voters' opinions when they shared their own personal testimonials as well as those of family members and friends. This allowed voters to clearly imagine how the consequences of the amendment would affect same-sex partners. The results of this study will assist activists in their future campaigning against the same-sex union amendment.

Recommended Citation

Haas, Emily. "Hold the Discrimination: Effective Strategies for Preventing an Anti-Gay Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 25, 2006.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2006/oral-session-L/4