Iowa gay marriage foe equates gay sex with smoking risks

The president of the Iowa Family Policy Center, a group that opposes marriage equality, released a statement that made gay sex appear to be a health menace.

“The Iowa Legislature outlawed smoking in an effort to improve health and reduce the medical costs that are often passed on to the state,” …

Where? Adair County supervisors demand Iowa gay marriage ban! Where?

The Adair County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution demanding that the Iowa Legislature take action to either end same-sex marriage in Iowa, or let the public vote on the matter.

Chairman Clifford Sheriff read the resolution before the board’s vote this morning.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Adair County Board of Supervisors demand that the Iowa (Legislature) resolve this issue by either passing legislation that will lead to a public vote to amend the Iowa Constitution or by passing legislation to confirm Iowa Code Section 595.2 to the Iowa Supreme Court (decision) in Varnum and Brien,” Chairman Sheriff read aloud.

The section of law Sheriff referenced is the 1998 “Defense of Marriage Act” which most legal scholars argue has been voided by the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision. The five-member Adair County Board of Supervisors passed their resolution, without debate.

“I’ll move we approve the resolution for review of the Defense of Marriage Act,” one of the supervisors said.

Another quickly added his “second” to move the process forward.

“We have a first and a second to approve the resolution,” Chairman Sheriff announced. “All in favor signify by saying, ‘Aye,’” Sheriff advised and all five replied in the affirmative.

The supervisors then continued with their board meeting.

A few Iowa city councils and county boards of supervisors have pondered similar resolutions against gay marriage. In February — two months before the Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalized gay marriage — the Sioux City City Council passed a resolution urging state legislators to set the date for a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage.

See

Adair County supervisors demand statewide vote on gay marriage

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/where-adair-c…

If we don’t act decisively, America’s next Proposition 8 could happen in Iowa.

In the six days since Iowa lesbian and gay couples won the freedom to marry, powerful right-wing groups have been mounting a campaign to REVERSE this historic decision.

They are pushing for a constitutional ban on marriage for lesbian and gay couples in Iowa – just like California’s Proposition 8.
While key Iowa leaders have been defending this decision, successfully staving off a marriage ban for now, it’s critical that they hear public support as the right-wing onslaught continues – fueled by this week’s marriage victory in Vermont. Send a message thanking Iowa’s leaders and urging them to resist right-wing pressure.

Tell Iowa’s legislative leaders to stay strong – and stop the next Prop. 8!

Iowa state leaders, led by Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and House Speaker Pat Murphy, have been heroic in recent days. HRC played an instrumental role in electing and protecting fair-minded majorities in the Iowa legislature, and we are seeing the fruits of our labors: so far, these courageous lawmakers have been successful in stopping a marriage ban, which would need to be placed on the ballot by the state legislature.
But the right wing campaign isn’t stopping – and if it happened in California, it can happen in Iowa.

Yesterday, the opposition launched a national TV ad campaign using the same lies that helped pass Prop. 8 (be sure to watch it, along with the secret audition tapes we found). It’s a clear example of the lies they’ll continue to use in every state facing a decision on marriage equality.
They are reportedly out-emailing us two to one in Iowa. They’ve held rallies in front of the state capitol. And with every email, phone call, editorial, or ad, it becomes more politically difficult for lawmakers to stay strong. That’s why we need to act now.

Ultraconservative groups are using disgusting lies – saying that “infidelity, promiscuity and insecurity” are the hallmarks of same-sex relationships and suggesting gay parents are more likely to engage in abuse and incest.

We cannot allow this hateful deception to take center stage. We must thank these lawmakers loudly and proudly – and demonstrate that support for marriage equality runs deep.

Thank Iowa’s legislative leaders – and make sure they defend the right of loving couples to marry, now and in the future!

Then, please pass this along to every fair-minded person you know in Iowa and across the country.

The lies must not prevail. Thank you for helping us defend the truth – for Iowans and for all of America.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President, HRC