Cold-hearted, Divisive Iowa State Senators Introduce Gay Marriage Banby Christina Butts
The new legislative session has barely started and the remnant religious far-right in the Iowa State Senate wants to begin divisive political tactics instead of working for the future of the state. These tactics are keeping Iowa from becoming an economic and socially progressive state that will attract and retain business and young adults. This type of game and tactic in a state that was proudly one of the main 'free' states during the Underground Railroad harkens a step back from Quaker-based liberty and freedoms for which our state's Constitution has always stood. This seems to be strategically done the week before Iowa Equality Day, February 3, for educating legislators on LGBT civil/human rights issues, which will get positive media attention and publicity. --Christina Butts
Thursday, January 27, 2005 -- Mason City Globe Gazette
GAY MARRIAGE BAN INTRODUCED, BUT UNLIKELY TO ADVANCE
By DAN GEARINO, Globe Des Moines Bureau
DES MOINES - A state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage was introduced by nine Republicans Wednesday in the Iowa Senate.
The measure faces little chance of passage in a chamber tied 25-25 between parties. A similar resolution fell short last year, a time when Republicans held the majority.
"I still feel the majority of Iowans think we need to keep marriage protected," said one of the co-sponsors, Sen. Bob Brunkhorst, R-Waverly.
The proposal would add the following sentence to the state constitution:
"Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized in the state of Iowa."
Leaders from both parties said before the session that hot-button social issues would probably get little airing because of the even split between the parties.
The sponsors of the proposed amendment are the following Republican senators: Jeff Angelo of Creston, Jerry Behn of Boone, Nancy Boettger of Harlan, Brunkhorst, David Johnson of Ocheyedan, Jim Hahn of Muscatine, Larry McKibben of Marshalltown, Paul McKinley of Chariton and Jim Seymour of Woodbine.
Bush Propaganda Machine Could Roll to a Stop
