Dear John, it's the Family Beacon, your weekly source for news on the issues that matter most in Minnesota and beyond! This week:
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Supreme Court Looks Set to Allow Parental Opt-Out for LGBTQ Content in Schools
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STATEMENT FROM RENEE CARLSON, GENERAL COUNSEL, TRUE NORTH LEGAL:
"This week the Supreme Court heard a landmark case in parental rights and religious freedom! Last year True North Legal and First Liberty Institute successfully advocated for parents
in Minnesota who experienced a similar issue being addressed at the U.S. Supreme Court today — a Minnesota school district refused multiple parents requests to opt-out THEIR elementary school CHILDREN from school lessons teaching young children about gender ideology (boys can be girls and girls can be boys). Among other concerns, this issue is inconsistent with their religious beliefs! I’m thankful that the parents ultimately got their opt-outs granted, but not without legal engagement. The attack on religious people simply for holding to the religious belief (also supported by science) that there are two sexes: men & women, cannot continue! Pray for the Court today and for the Becket Fund who is fighting for Maryland parents in Mahmoud v. Taylor! Read more about True North Legal & our Minnesota case here."
VIDEO INTERVIEW: Renee Carlson w/First Liberty Coverage from SCOTUSblog:
The Supreme Court on Tuesday was sympathetic to a group of Maryland parents who want to be able to opt their elementary-school-aged children out of instruction that includes LGBTQ+ themes. The parents argued that the local school board’s refusal to give them that choice violates their religious beliefs and therefore their constitutional right to freely exercise their religion. During nearly two-and-a-half hours of oral argument, a majority of the justices seemed to agree with them, with several justices questioning whether there would even be any harm to simply allowing the parents to excuse their children from the instruction.
The parents in the case have children in the public schools in Montgomery County, which is in the Washington, D.C., suburbs and is one of the most religiously diverse counties in the United States. The parents include Tamer Mahmoud and Enas Barakat, who are Muslim, Melissa and Chris Persak, who are Roman Catholic, and Svitlana and Jeff Roman, who are Ukrainian Orthodox and Roman Catholic.
In 2022, the county’s school board approved books featuring LGBTQ+ characters for use in its language-arts curriculum. One book describes the story of a girl attending her uncle’s same-sex wedding, for example, while another book, Pride Puppy, tells the story of a puppy that gets lost during a Pride parade. |
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Star Tribune: MFC's Anti-Gambling Coalition Defeats Gambling Expansion for the Year |
On Tuesday, Minnesota Senate mobile sports gambling proponents introduced a new mobile sports gambling bill, Senate File 3414. The original bill had previously failed to move forward on a tie vote in the Senate State and Local Government committee in February and then was cancelled at a subsequent April hearing due to insufficient votes.
This new bill was introduced at the same time the Sports Betting Alliance (the lobbying group for mobile sports gambling) held an event on Tuesday evening to celebrate lobbying efforts. On Wednesday, S.F. 3414 author Senator Nick Frentz, DFL-North Mankato, made a motion to send his new bill from its current committee, which is less favorable, to Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection, a more favorable committee. This motion failed roundly with 15 votes in support of this motion and 50 votes in opposition.
Thank you to the Rochelle Olson at the Star Tribune for her shoutout on our work in collaboration with a bipartisan coalition to oppose the legalization of mobile sports gambling in Minnesota. |
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Advocacy Day and Rally for Nonpublic School Students (May 7) |
From the Minnesota Catholic Conference: WHAT: Rally and Advocacy Day co-sponsored by the Minnesota Catholic Conference and MINNDEPENDENT to Stop Cuts of $100 million in nonpublic school student aid.
WHO: All are welcome to attend--registration is strongly recommended. WHEN: Rally on Wednesday, May 7 at 1:30 pm in the Capitol Rotunda; Advocacy Day from 9am-4:30pm.
WHY: These harmful cuts to students are moving forward in the Legislative process. The cuts are currently being proposed by Governor Walz and Senate Democrats, who have included the cuts in their K-12 education finance bill.
HOW: By showing up at the Capitol, rallying with others, and connecting with your legislators you will make an impact in ensuring these harmful cuts are removed from budget talks and that these important aids are preserved for future students. WHERE: State Capitol Rotunda You can check in at the Governor’s Historic Dining Room if you need help and directions. |
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Legislative Update from the Frontlines |
Written by Rebecca Delahunt We wanted to share key updates with you on three legislative matters that have been progressing at our state Capitol in the last few weeks. It is a privilege to fight for your values in public policy every day during legislative session. The “Equal Rights Amendment”
The so-called "Equal Rights Amendment" is a proposed state constitutional amendment which the state legislature debates passing year after year. In Minnesota, constitutional amendments must pass on a majority vote in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate before the state voters determine in a General Election whether to add the language to the state constitution.
Different versions have passed the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate, disqualifying the proposed amendment from fully passing the legislature before voters determine whether to add it to the state constitution. Identical legislation must pass both chambers.
The ERA has existed in the United States since the 1970s, but the language of the amendment has changed over time. Minnesota's 2025 ERA proposal includes constitutional protection for abortion and so-called "gender identity or gender expression," better known as the right of "self-identification." The language of this ERA does not include any protection for religious freedom, clearly showing the priority order of constitutional protection as these interests conflict. |
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Access Now: 2025 Legislative Bill Tracker |
In addition to keeping you informed through email updates and action alerts, our public policy team here at Minnesota Family Council is pleased to bring you our Bill Tracker resource! Bookmarking the page below will help keep you informed on the public policy with which we are engaging at the Minnesota Legislature regarding your values of life, family, and religious freedom.
Listen on Spotify |
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Register NOW for our Annual Dinner: The Team's the Theme w/ Hugh Hewitt! |
HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT: Generous supporters like you have pledged $250,000 in matching funds for our dinner. That means your contribution will be doubled up to that amount, potentially unlocking half a million dollars to carry on the fight for life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota!
So please join us on May 10th for an evening highlighting the incredible work that the Minnesota Family Council team members do at our Capitol and in the courts to fight for your values. The night will feature award-winning broadcaster and commentator HUGH HEWITT as keynote speaker! Hugh will also interview the Minnesota Family Council team on a live panel.
But May 10th is also about Minnesotans like you. We need joyful partners and gutsy teammates in the important work we’re doing on the edge of western civilization. There are no bench-sitters on this team. All of us have a part to play in this mission with the gifts God has uniquely bestowed (1 Corinthians 12).
Register now (space is limited, last year we sold out)!
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Church Ambassador Network: Bring LIGHT to the Capitol! |
The Church Ambassador Network brings the gospel to the Capitol to encourage those hoping in Christ and confront those rejecting His lordship. You have the opportunity to ensure that this ministry continues and the light of the gospel shines in St. Paul.
Will you consider supporting the Church Ambassador Network with your church's missions budget? Watch the video below to learn more about the difference you can make by partnering with us. |
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True North Legal is an initiative of Minnesota Family Institute, fighting to protect life, family, and religious freedom in our legal system. Learn more about True North Legal and its crucial work at truenorthlegal.org. |
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Get the Parent Resource Guide
Responding to the transgender trend with truth and compassion starts with the Parent Resource Guide. Get your copy HERE today and invite a friend to do the same! Click to order your copy today: |
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Thank you for sharing Minnesota Family Council’s vision for strong families, communities, and culture through Christ. In this season of unprecedented challenges to life, family, and religious freedom, please consider giving us your support so that we can continue to be YOUR voice. Click here to give now.
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Moses Bratrud, Director of Communications Minnesota Family Council and Institute |
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Two Ways to Give
Support our grassroots policy and elections efforts through Minnesota Family Council (MFC). Support our education and outreach efforts with a tax-deductible contribution to Minnesota Family Institute (MFI). |
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