Posted 4/11/01 Gender-neutral constitution? By T.W. Budig ECM capitol reporter A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at making the language in the Minnesota Constitution gender-neutral is advancing this legislative session. ěThis isnít political correctness,î said Rep. Mark Thompson, DFL, New Hope, bill author in the House. ěItís about respect for our wives, mothers, daughters and sisters,î he said. Thompson, while saying his bill certainly isnít the most important legislation this session, said he believes itís an issue that needs to be addressed. The proposed amendment seeks to make the language of the constitution gender neutral, changing masculine nouns such as ěhimî or ěheî into more neutral language, such as ěthe accusedî or ěthe person.î Another example: in article I, section 7 of the constitution, it states that no person would be ěcompelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.î If the proposed amendment is adopted, that sentence would state that no person would be ěcompelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself or herself.î Thompson said he has no intention of changing the meaning of the constitution ń just make it gender neutral. And itís not like the constitution hasnít been changed before, he said. Back in 1974, a committee reduced the number of articles in the constitution and recommended that this central documented be updated from time to time, said Thompson. He proposes the gender-neutral amendment be placed on the ballot in the 2002 general election. The bill has cleared one House committee and will receive another hearing this week, he said. In the Senate, Sen. Chuck Wiger, DFL, North St. Paul, is carrying the legislation. One reason why the language in the constitution wasnít made gender neutral back in 1974 is perhaps because so few women were serving in state elective office back then, said Thompson. ©Post Review