PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Urge Minnesota to Recognize End-of-Life Rights for Same-Sex Couples
  1. Signatures
    376 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of MN
  2. Created By
    Michael Jones
    Boston, MA
About this Petition Petition Letter

The Minnesota House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted in favor of legislation that will allow same-sex couples in the state to plan end-of-life decisions together, as well as have access to a court of law in the event of wrongful death. This is an important bill that extends some basic human rights to same-sex couples in Minnesota.

The bill is working its way through the legislature now, and is likely to end up on Governor Tim Pawlenty's desk in the coming weeks. Demand that Gov. Pawlenty sign this bill into law.

In Minnesota, there are upwards of 515 laws that discriminate against same-sex couples. Passing this measure will help eliminate two of those laws, and give same-sex couples the right to map out the end of their lives together, as well as give same-sex couples the right to litigation in the event of a wrongful death for one partner.

Recent Signatures

Please support the Final Wishes and Wrongful Death Bill

Dear Gov. Pawlenty,

The Minnesota state legislature is currently debating a bill, the Final Wishes and Wrongful Death Bill, that will allow same-sex couples the right to make end-of-life decisions with each other, and give same-sex couples the right to litigation in the event of a wrongful death. This is an important bill that extends very basic human rights to people during their final days. I urge you to support this bill.

It's likely that in the coming weeks, this bill will end up on your desk. It passed overwhelmingly in the Minnesota State House, by a vote of 78-55. There is bipartisan and majority support for this bill, which simply states that same-sex couples should have the capacity to plan the end of their lives together.

Discrimination should not come into play during a partner's final days. Yet that's what many same-sex couples face in Minnesota, and will continue to face if this law is not passed. I urge you to lend your support to this bill, and to sign this bill into law if and when it lands on your desk.

In many respects, this is not solely a gay rights issue, but a question of dignity and human rights for people nearing the end of their lives. We should do whatever we can to make sure that people can die with their wishes kept in check.

Thanks for your time.

[Your name]

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