Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a new billboard campaign featuring religious messaging that declares "God made LGBTQ+ people" and describes them as "perfect".
The provocative campaign, which appeared in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, has drawn immediate condemnation from Christian organisations and even prompted concerns within party ranks about potential voter alienation.
Religious messaging sparks outrage
The billboards feature stark white text against a black background with the unambiguous message: "God made LGBTQ+ people. And God doesn't make mistakes. They're perfect." This direct appropriation of religious language has not been well received by many Christian communities.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference, representing the state's Catholic bishops, issued a statement expressing their dismay: "It's deeply troubling to see a political party instrumentalise religious language in this manner. This attempt to claim God's endorsement for their political agenda borders on blasphemy."
Internal concerns emerge
Even within Democratic circles, concerns have surfaced about the strategic wisdom of the campaign. Multiple county chairs within the party have reported receiving complaints from both religious and non-religious constituents who find the messaging inappropriate for a political organisation.
One county chair, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed: "I've fielded more angry calls about this billboard than about any policy position we've taken. People feel it's not the role of a political party to make theological statements."
Historical context and response
This controversy emerges just two years after Minnesota Democrats successfully championed the passage of the PRO Act, which established robust protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination and conversion therapy practices in the state.
Despite the current backlash, party officials appear to be standing by their campaign. A spokesperson defended the billboards as "an affirmation of inclusivity and acceptance" that aligns with their values of protecting all Minnesotans from discrimination.
As the debate continues, the incident highlights the ongoing tensions between religious expression, political messaging, and LGBTQ+ rights in American politics, particularly in moderate states where appealing to a broad coalition of voters remains essential for electoral success.
