The public is invited to join Itasca students and faculty for a free workshop on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment on Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Itasca Community College.

The program will include a panel discussion featuring representatives on all sides of the Marriage Amendment debate. Commissioner of Human Rights Kevin Lindsey will be among five featured speakers who will offer various points of view from the fields of human rights, law, religion and American Indian culture. The public will be invited to ask questions of the speakers following the presentations.

The Amendment reads, Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?

What: Viewpoints: Marriage Amendment workshop

When: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 11 AM-1 PM

Where: Davies Hall Theater Itasca Community College, 1851 East Highway 169 Grand Rapids, MN 55744-3397

Panelists: Rev. Dr. David A. Bard, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Duluth and a speaker for Minnesotans United for All Families; Rev. Joe Franzone, Pastor of West Cohasset Chapel in Cohasset, MN; Commissioner Kevin Lindsey, Minnesota Department of Human Rights; District Court Judge Jon Maturi; Elaine Fleming, Chair of the Arts and Humanities Department and instructor at Leech Lake Tribal College, Cass Lake, MN.

Sponsors: Itasca Community College and the following student organizations: Gay Straight Alliance, Nursing Club, O-Gitch-I-Dah Club, Philosophy Club, Psychology Club, Student Government Association, Secular Student Alliance; and the Grand Rapids Human Rights Commission and the Blandin Foundation.

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For more information, please contact: Jeff Holman, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, 651.539.1090, jeff.holman@state.mn.us