As an institution committed to both free expression and fairness, we stand behind couples–straight, gay, and lesbian–who wish to express their love and commitment for each other through marriage. Guided by this unequivocal value, the Walker Art Center proudly joins with cultural organizations across our state in endorsing the Minnesotans United for All Families Campaign, which is working to defeat the marriage amendment that will be on the ballot in November 2012.

If passed by voters in November, the proposed constitutional amendment would define marriage as between one man and one woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. However, Minnesota statute already prohibits same-sex couples from marrying, and we see this amendment as not only an unnecessary measure, but also one that would make our state a less welcoming place. We’re honored to stand with our coworkers, friends, artists, and audiences who are gay and lesbian and to stand beside thousands of colleagues in the business, cultural, community-based, and faith communities in this cause.

But why do we do it? First and foremost, we believe it is the ethical stance. We affirm that love is love, and that the Minnesota Constitution—a document created to define rights instead of impose restrictions—should not be amended to make value judgments about love. Further, the Walker long ago adopted policies and hiring practices that embrace diversity and reject discrimination of all kinds; these policies are respectful of sexual orientation.

But beyond that, we realize that creative communities like ours thrive when we can all be ourselves. The immensely talented people we work with include many who are gay and lesbian, and we support them and see them as friends and equals. We also recognize that the healthiest creative climates are open to all. To foster creativity, to attract artists and audiences, and to grow the state’s economy during difficult times, we believe we must be welcoming to all, regardless of the gender of their loved ones.

At a May 14 press event, this sentiment was echoed by Sheila Smith, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and a board member of Minnesotans United for All Families. “Minnesota’s creative community thrives because of the contributions of creative people from all walks of life,” she said. “This amendment would limit our state’s ability to recruit the best and the brightest to be a part of our state’s future. We believe in treating others as you would like to be treated. That’s the kind of place we believe Minnesota is, and that’s the kind of place we want it to be in the future.”

But it’s not just those in the arts who hold this position. Many in the business community have publicly voiced their opposition, noting that the amendment will have a negative effect on their ability to recruit the very best executive talent to the state. John Taft of RBC Wealth Management, a former Walker trustee; Charlie Zelle of Jefferson Lines; and Wheelock Whitney, who donated funds to help realize the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden’s Irene Hixon Whitney footbridge have all spoken out against the amendment. In fact, more than 200 Minnesota companies and organizations have committed to opposing the marriage amendment.

We hope you’ll join us in endorsing the Minnesotans United for All Families Campaign and pledging to vote no on this amendment.

Arts organizations endorsing the Minnesotans United for All Families Arts Community United campaign (updated October 26, 2012):

1. air sweet air Gallery

2. Altered Esthetics

3. American Composers Forum

4. Anderson Center

5. Articulture

6. Artists in Storefronts

7. Bedlam Theatre

8. Big Table Studio

9. Bloomington Theatre and Art Center

10. Box Wine Theatre

11. Burton Art Studios

12. Calliope Women’s Chorus

13. Cantus

14. Children’s Theatre Company

15. Coffee House Press

16. Crown Trout Jewelers

17. Duluth Art Institute

18. Echoes of Peace Choir

19. Electric Fetus (Duluth)

20. Emily Johnson/Catalyst

21. FEASTMpls

22. First Avenue & 7th Street Entry

23. The Flower Shop Project

24. Forecast Public Art

25. Form + Content Gallery

26. Franconia Sculpture Park

27. Frank Theatre

28. Freshwater Theatre

29. Frozen River Film Festival

30. Gadfly Theatre

31. The Gergorian Singers

32. Greywolf Press

33. Guthrie Theater

34. Hennepin Theatre Trust

35. Highpoint Center for Printmaking

36. History Theatre

37. Hopewell North Music Cooperative

38. Illusion Theater

39. In the Heart of the Beast Theater

40. Intermedia Arts

41. Ivey Awards

42. Jungle Theater

43. James Sewell Ballet

44. Kate Sommers Photography

45. Keane Sense of Rhythm, Inc Tap Dance

46. The Loft Literary Center

47. Loring Park Art Festival

48. Lunalux

49. Milkweed Editions

50. Min Enterprises Photography, LLC

51. Minnesota Center for Book Arts

52. Minnesota Chorale

53. Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

54. Minnesota Freedom Band

55. Minnesota Museum of American Art

56. Minnesota Opera

57. Minnesota Orchestra Musician’s Association

58. Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra

59. Minnesota Playlist

60. Minnesota Theater Alliance

61. Misplaced Music

62. Mixed Blood Theatre Company

63. The Moving Company Theater

64. Mu Performing Arts

65. Nautilus Music-Theater

66. New Bohemian Artist Coop

67. Off Leash Area

68. One Voice Mixed Chorus

69. Open Eye Figure Theatre

70. Ordway Center for Performing Arts

71. Pangea World Theater

72. Patrick’s Cabaret

73. Penumbra Theatre Company

74. Periscope Artist Management

75. Pillsbury House Theatre

76. Playwrights’ Center

77. Purple Ray Pictures

78. Rebel Ink Printing

79. Red Eye Collaboration

80. Rochester Art Center

81. Rochester Civic Theatre

82. Rosalux Gallery

83. The Rose Ensemble

84. Rosetown Playhouse

85. Rox Minneapolis Jewelry

86. Rhythmically Speaking

87. Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

88. Sandbox Theatre

89. Savage Umbrella

90. Schubert Club

91. Skewed Visions

92. The Soap Factory

93. Soo Visual Art Center

94. The Southern Theater

95. Springboard for the Arts

96. Stages Theatre Company

97. Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater

98. The Suicide Commandos Punk Rock Band

99. Table Salt Productions

100. Ten Thousand Things Theater

101. Textile Center

102. Theater Latte Da

103. Theatre B

104. Theatre Pro Rata

105. Theatre Unbound

106. Town Life Magazine

107. Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art

108. Trellage-Ferrill Architecture & Art

109. 20 Percent Theatre Company Twin Cities

110. Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus

111. Twin Cities Labor Chorus

112. Twin Cities Musicians Union

113. Twin Ports Bridge Festival

114. 2d Cloud

115. Upstream Arts

116. VocalEssence

117. Walker Art Center

118. Walking Shadow Theatre Company

119. Women’s Art Resources of MN

120. White Bear Center for the Arts

In addition, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has also endorsed the campaign.