RED WING, Minn. — Ten years after Minnesotans weighed in on the marriage debate, President Biden signed a law that mandates federal recognition for same-sex and interracial marriages.
The President signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law on Tuesday during a ceremony on the South Lawn. And among those celebrating the moment: a Red Wing grandfather-turned-activist, Bruce Ause.
“It’s wonderful that we’ve come this far,” Ause told KARE 11’s Karla Hult.
Ause first sat down with Hult back in 2012 as part of a series reported by KARE 11 and Minnesota Public Radio ahead of the November election. Weeks later, Minnesotans defeated at the polls a proposed constitutional marriage amendment that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman.
“We were forced to choose between our church or our child, and we chose our child,” Ause said back in 2012 when sharing how his loyalty to his daughter conflicted with the position of his conservative-leaning church.
One decade later, Ause said he’s grateful for that church community – who respectfully supported his decision – and he’s also grateful for a community he found among other families and allies.
“Instead of our family at church, we inherited a family of parents who were wanting to support their kids. And we inherited a family of allies who did not have a dog in the fight [but] who wanted to support us and make things better,” Ause said about the Red Wing community.
That very community recently published a book about their journey and efforts in advocacy. Those interested in learning more about “Coming Out Together” can simply click here: https://www.cavittproductions.com/coming-out-together-redwing-pflag/
Meantime, to learn more about Ause’s journey to becoming a fierce advocate for change – a journey inspired by his brother, John, his daughter, Angie, and even, Martin Luther King, Jr. – simply watch this latest interview that aired on KARE 11’s Breaking the News.
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