Same-sex marriage in Iowa could be challenged
Wed. January 19, 2011 5:07 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
“Going backward on equal rights sends the wrong message."
Des Moines, IA -
A constitutional amendment that seeks to exclude gay couples from marriage was introduced in Iowa on Wednesday.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Iowa Constitution to exclude gay and lesbian couples from the freedom to marry, could bring a legislative challenge to the Iowa Supreme Court unanimous 2009 ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.
"Amending the Iowa Constitution to exclude gay couples will harm thousands of Iowa families," said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. "Marriage says ‘we're a family' like nothing else and is an important way we care for those we love. Writing discrimination into the Constitution will only divide us at a time when we need to work together to tackle common concerns."
During the midterm election in November three of the judges were voted off the bench for favoring gay marriage.
The Republicans control the Iowa House and vow to approve a resolution that would put same-sex marriage on the ballot as soon as 2013.
Four Republican lawmakers and all 40 Democrats refused to sign on as co-sponsors.
Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to never allow such an amendment to come up for debate. Democrats still have a majority in the Iowa Senate.
"Going backward on equal rights sends the wrong message," said Jenison.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Iowa Constitution to exclude gay and lesbian couples from the freedom to marry, could bring a legislative challenge to the Iowa Supreme Court unanimous 2009 ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.
"Amending the Iowa Constitution to exclude gay couples will harm thousands of Iowa families," said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. "Marriage says ‘we're a family' like nothing else and is an important way we care for those we love. Writing discrimination into the Constitution will only divide us at a time when we need to work together to tackle common concerns."
During the midterm election in November three of the judges were voted off the bench for favoring gay marriage.
The Republicans control the Iowa House and vow to approve a resolution that would put same-sex marriage on the ballot as soon as 2013.
Four Republican lawmakers and all 40 Democrats refused to sign on as co-sponsors.
Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to never allow such an amendment to come up for debate. Democrats still have a majority in the Iowa Senate.
"Going backward on equal rights sends the wrong message," said Jenison.