Hey Star Tribune, what gives?

What's a person got to do to get a commentary published in the Star Tribune?

That was my reaction this morning to the Star Tribune commentary piece by two young lovebirds who decided to flee to Thunder Bay, Ontario, in order to avoid paying a fee for a marriage license in our state. Think of it like H. D. Thoreau refusing to pay taxes, without the prison (but also without the mega mall).

On September 22, 2005, my wife and I did the exact same thing, and I submitted virtually the same editorial. I am delighted that Mr. Hengen and Ms. Teplin had better luck getting published, because I hope that many more Minnesotans will do what my wife and I did, and what this couple did.

I refuse to support a civil unions law that discriminates between individuals on the basis of their gender. Many people frame the question as one of discrimination based on sexual orientation. I disagree. The only difference between two men applying for a marriage license an a man and a woman applying for the same license is the gender of one of the applicants.

Ontario is a great place to be married. The weather was great, even in late September, our accommodations on Sturgeon Bay were breathtaking (plus, there was a hot tub within feet of our bed). Kakabeka Falls is one of the prettiest places in the world (come back from Thunder bay and turn towards Winnipeg, and you can’t miss them).

The only thing I disliked about my Canadian marriage was that on the form, both the Applicant and Co-Applicant (I won the coin toss and got to be applicant) had to denote a religion. The religions must get some kind of subsidy or something, because there is an approved list of religions and you must pick one. I wanted to put Humanist in the space, but that wasn’t on the list, so the clerk recommended Greek Orthodox. Same diff, right?

So fair readers, thinking of tying the knot? Do what these brave souls did. Go to Canada. It’s fun, it’s pretty, and it is unusual. It limits your expenses for guests, but it’s not too far for mom and dad to drive. You can always have a party when you get back, unless you’re protesting that law about no sales on Sunday.

I want to extend my best wishes to the happy couple.