Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is coming to the defense of Chik-fil-A as the embattled fast food franchise fends off criticism for its president's stance against gay marriage. Fresh from lunch at a Chick-fil-A Saturday in North Carolina, the prospective Republican vice presidential candidate called elected officials' public objections to the Christian-owned fast food chain "chilling."

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., grabbed a little lunch and filmed a video message on "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show her support for restaurant president Dan Cathy, who has publicly opposed gay marriage.

Few showed up at Minnesota's Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurants for a "kiss-in" event Friday that was planned to take place at outlets nationwide, KARE 11 reports. Restaurant President Dan Cathy opposes gay marriage and the event was designed as a protest to his recent comments in support of the "Biblical" definition of marriage.

Internet celebrity Zach Wahls, the 21-year-old son of an Iowa same-sex couple, has been campaigning in Minnesota this week against the state ballot measure that would effectively ban gay marriage. Meanwhile, the pro-measure group Minnesota for Marriage has released a video that argues children of same-sex couples are more vulnerable than those raised by a mother and father.

Taking a stand against the Catholic Church's stance on gay marriage, a fifth grade teacher in Moorhead is leaving her position as a fifth grade teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. Trish Cameron said in a letter to parents that she was told she would not be offered a contract for the next school year because of her response to a question on a self-evaluation.

Is it good business to jump into the debate over same-sex marriage in Minnesota? The Pioneer Press has a new list of where companies stand on the issue.

Gay marriage advocates, fresh from winning a fight over a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex unions, is already planning for what they say is the next logical step. State law still does not allow for gay marriage. They aim to change that.