Minnesota College Republicans chairman announces gay marriage support

Minnesota College Republicans Chairman Ryan Lyk announced his support for the legalization of same-sex marriage Wednesday.

The two-term chairman said it's time for the Republican party to get past the issue.

"It is not the role of government to dictate who can be married, whose love is valid, and which families matter more than others," he said in a press release.

State legislators are considering a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, but so far only one Republican, Sen. Branden Petersen of Andover, has said they'd back the proposal, according to the Star Tribune.

Lyk is a political science major at the University of Minnesota, and previously interned with U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann, the Pioneer Press reports. He said gay and lesbian couples contribute to society just like everyone else, and should be able to enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else.

"Gay and lesbian Minnesotans run business, vote, and serve in the military," he said. "They work hard, raise children, and contribute to the same system as the rest of us – and as such, they should have access to the same freedoms and opportunities as anyone else."