Minnesota Not Ready for Gay Marriage Litigation, Prof. Carpenter Says in Star Tribune

Professor Dale Carpenter was quoted in an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune regarding a recent lawsuit filed in Minnesota by three same-sex couples claiming that the ban on gay marriage violates their rights to due process, equal protection, and freedom of conscience and association under the state constitution. "It's not the way to go, especially not now in Minnesota," Carpenter said. Although he supports same-sex marriage, he opposes the litigation, commenting "I don't think the state courts are ready to recognize a right to gay marriage in the law." Carpenter continued, "If you go and ask for a ruling too soon, you get a negative one, and it sets the barrier even higher the next time."