War On Gays Not Why We Fight Wars, Says GOP Iraq Vet By Michael McIntee | May 22, 2011 LikeTweet EmailPrint More More on LGBT Issues Subscribe to LGBT Issues Follow this author DFL Reps rally outside House chamber after anti-gay marriage vote Representative John Kriesel is one of four Republicans who voted their conscience instead of voting their party line and opposed a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Minnesota. The state already forbids the practice in statute. Representative Kriesel lost his legs in the Iraq war. He says what kept him going was thinking of his wife and kids. Kriesel says he did not fight for our country so other people could be denied happiness. Despite Kriesel’s opposition, the constitutional amendment passed the House and will be on the November 2012 ballot. Democrats immediately launched a campaign urging people to vote no. The entire powerful speech- MN Republican Rep. Kriesel on supporting gay marriage and bucking the party line. Support this story and all the stories from The Uptake. Donate.