Jeanne Phillips, the columnist known as Dear Abby, advises Minnesotans to vote against a proposed gay marriage ban.

Phillips has teamed up with Minnesotans United for All Families, the coalition of groups working against passage of the constitutional amendment which would define marriage as a heterosexual union in Minnesota.

“I enjoy the privilege of providing advice to Americans every day,” Phillips said in an email to supporters. “It is always my sincerest hope that the advice I give will be helpful.”

“My mother, Pauline Phillips, the founder of the Dear Abby column, taught me as a young girl that when we are faced with a tough decision that affects another person, it is important to consider how we would want to be treated. No one would want to be told that it is illegal to marry the person they love, but that is exactly what this amendment would do.”

“I was raised to believe that each and every one of us has intrinsic value. Excluding some citizens from their basic rights and freedoms because of who they are is wrong.”

“So please take my advice; VOTE NO on the marriage amendment in November – and please encourage everyone you know to do the same,” she added.

Phillips first endorsed marriage equality in 2007.