Blog for Iowa :: Action Needed on Civil Rights Bill in Iowa House

SF 427, the civil rights bill, is in trouble in the Iowa House. The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state civil rights code, making discrimination in employment, housing education, credit, and public accommodations illegal in Iowa. The bill previously passed the Iowa Senate with large margins. The Iowa House is controlled by Democrats 54-46, with one Democrat not voting while serving in Iraq.

The Speaker of the House, Pat Murphy Pat.Murphy@legis.state.ia.us, last week said the bill was likely dead for the session because he didn't have the Democratic votes. In the last election you might recall the talk about what good things could happen if we only gave a Democratic triffecta. The Democrats control the house, they control the senate, and we have a Democratic Governor. It seems reasonable to think that the Democratic triffecta and a few reasonable Republicans could get basic civil rights done if they truly wanted it to happen.

Here's how you can help.

1) Write your legislator asking them to do everything they can to give gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people basic civil rights like working, eating in a restaurant, renting an apartment. Tell your stories of discrimination and your fears, the fears you have for your friends and family, the desire you have to live in a place where everyone is valued. You can find your legislator here:

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/

2) If you are a Democrat think about everyone you've ever given money to, ever volunteered for, or anyone you voted for and consider asking them to get involved and pull in all the political capital they have to make this happen.

3) Dig through your address book and contacts looking for anyone from these counties asking them to help:

Polk, Winneshiek, Scott, Kossuth, Benton, Chickasaw, Union, Cerro Gordo, Pottawattamie, Black Hawk

4) Write these Democrats telling stories of discrimination, fears, hopes and dreams of a better state:

Pat.Murphy@legis.state.ia.us, Kevin.McCarthy@legis.state.ia.us, Beth.Wessel-Kroeschell@legis.state.ia.us, Geri.Huser@legis.state.ia.us, Doris.Kelley@legis.state.ia.us, Dolores.Mertz@legis.state.ia.us,
Dawn.Pettengill@legis.state.ia.us, Brian.Quirk@legis.state.ia.us, Mike.Reasoner@legis.state.ia.us,
Paul.Shomshor@legis.state.ia.us

Murphy is the Speaker of the House, McCarthy is the Democratic Majority Leader, and Wessel-Kroeschell is the floor leader of the bill

5) Write these Republicans doing the same:

Christopher.Rants@legis.state.ia.us, Dan.Clute@legis.state.ia.us, Chuck.Gipp@legis.state.ia.us, , Libby.Jacobs@legis.state.ia.us, Linda.Miller@legis.state.ia.us, Scott.Raecker@legis.state.ia.us, Bill.Schickel@legis.state.ia.us, Tami.Wiencek@legis.state.ia.us

Christopher Rants, is the Republican Majority Leader.

This is a defining moment in Iowa history. We can take the path of being a welcoming state where everyone is valued or we can take the path of fear and discrimination. Make no mistake about it this is also a defining moment in the Democratic party. The question is whether GLBT people our friends and allies have any value to a party that we have shown profound loyalty. If Democrats value GLBTA people they can find a way to get this done now, not next year, not one more election. I'm tired of hearing just one more election, just do this, just do that. We've been loyal, we are Iowans, now treat us as equals.

Some of the people on this list have been working on this bill for over 20 years. Each and every year we've been told just one more election, just one more something. We've been patient for plenty of time. Now let's get basic civil rights passed into law. As individuals we may not be that powerful, but together we know people who know people who have power. If you believe in equality there has never been a better time to call in your friends.

Janelle

Janelle Rettig
110 Shrader Rd
Iowa City, IA 52245
319-338-0999 (phone/fax)
319-330-0916 (cell)
janellerettig@aol.com

Additional list you might find helpful:

Iowa House

Iowa House By Party -- Democrats

Iowa House By Party - Republicans

Keywords: GLBT

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