Douglas Benson and Duane Gajewski Papers

Collection

Identifier: Tretter-378

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection includes documentation regarding Benson and Gajewski's efforts to have their marriage recognized in the state of Minnesota as well as their participation in the Northland Gay Men's Center in Duluth. Boxes 1 and 2 represent files documenting correspondence, research, and case files regarding the Marry Me Minnesota effort to sue the state of Minnesota in the case titled Benson vs. Alverson. Also included in these boxes are files related to the founding and programmatic events held by the Northland Gay Men's Center; these files include correspondence, administrative documents, and event flyers and programs.

Boxes 3 through 5, and oversized material, represent protest signs made and carried by Benson and/or Gajewski during rallies and marches related to marriage equality.

Dates

Creation: 1990-2012

Creator

Douglas Benson (Person)
Duane Gajewski (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Restrictions on Access

Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only. Materials will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by staff members.

Restrictions on Use

Please contact staff regarding copyright status of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under fair use provisions of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Biographical Note

Douglas Benson and Duane Gajewski are marriage equality activists and active members of the gay community in Northern Minnesota. In 2008, Douglas and Gajewski joined three other same-sex couples, formally organizing as "Marry Me Minnesota," sued the state of Minnesota to challenge the state's 1997 Defense of Marriage Act. The case went to court in 2010, was dismissed in March 2011 and granted an appeal in 2012. In addition to their active participation in fighting for equal marriage rights, Douglas and Duane are both actively involved with the Northlad Gay Men's Center in Duluth.

Cited Sources:

Minnesota Atheists. "President's Column: Benson v. Alverson Update." Accessed April 29, 2015. http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/news/8-local-news/672-presidents-column-benson-v-alverson-update

Duschschere, Kevin and Abby Simons. "Appeals court: Minnesota gay marriage case will get trial." StarTribune, January 23, 2012. Accessed April 29, 2015. http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/137900878.html