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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
“If a law gets passed that doesn’t affect everyone equally, then it gets looked at by the law, not by what you are taught in church or at home,” said Marty Elberg, an attorney from Eagle Grove. “It’s what the law says.”
On April 3, 2009, the Supreme Court of Iowa ruled, through a unanimous decision, that gay and lesbian couples could marry in Iowa. Monday, a forum was conducted by One Iowa at the All Cultures Equal Center on marriage equality.
One Iowa, is the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender advocacy organization and is committed to full equality for LGBT. Elberg and other individuals came together to share a continuing conversation in the community on same-sex marriage rights.
Full Story from Webster City News: http://www.webstercitynews.com/page/content.detail/id/505126.html?nav=5006
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in discussion, forum, Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, marriage equality, one iowa, panel, same sex marriage, webster city | No Responses »
Monday, January 4th, 2010
Red or blue, young or old, gay or straight; equality shouldn¹t be a partisan issue. On Jan. 10, the eve of the 2010 legislative session, One Iowa will launch a major legislative campaign to oppose a constitutional amendment that would seek to deny gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry in Iowa.
Equality: Red Blue Purple will highlight broad based opposition to an amendment that would take away civil marriage protections from Iowans and will feature a coalition of organizations and individuals working to stop an amendment.
The coalition consists of Democratic and Republican co-chairs joined by labor, civil rights, and faith groups. A full slate of coalition members will be announced in a separate release prior Sunday¹s rally. The campaign will begin with a January 10 kick-off rally at Des Moines Social Club.
Full Story from Politics Iowa: http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=180875
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in blue, campaign, Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, marriage equality, one iowa, purple, red, same sex marriage | No Responses »
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Both sides of the gay marriage issue are planning events for the start of the new legislative session in January. The Iowa Family Policy Center announced Monday it will hold a two-day event beginning at the state capitol on the second day of the legislative session January 12th. Center spokesman, Brian English, says the event if called “Two Days For Marriage.”
He says, “The 12th is an opportunity for the people of Iowa who support marriage, the only definition of marriage, which is one man and one woman, and or the constitutional separation of powers, to come together at the capitol building when all three branches of government are in the same place at the same time.” English says it is a show of solidarity asking the elected leaders to let Iowans vote on the Iowa marriage amendment.
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in April that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violated the state constitution, and Democrats who control legislative debate say they will not allow a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. English says they encourage everyone to turn out and tell the elected leaders to allow a vote on the amendment.
Full Story from Radio Iowa: http://www.radioiowa.com/2009/12/29/groups-on-both-sides-of-gay-marriage-plan-events-for-legislatures-opening/
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in 2010, anti, Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, legislature, marriage equality, pro, rallies, rally | No Responses »
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
“Traditional marriage” advocates who demand a vote to amend Iowa’s Constitution plan to leave their calling cards early and often during the 2010 legislative session. Bryan English of Iowa Family Policy Council ACTION said pro-marriage supporters plan to be at the state Capitol en masse on Jan. 12 when Gov. Chet Culver delivers his Condition of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly with Iowa Supreme Court justices present.
The occasion, he said, will mark the first time that all three branches of state government are together in one building since a unanimous Supreme Court ruled April 3 that a state law defining marriage as between one man and one woman was unconstitutional — clearing the way for same-sex marriages in Iowa.
English said his group has been raising money and mobilizing average Iowans to get all 150 state legislators on the record where they stand on passing a resolution that would allow the people to vote on a constitutional amendment on the marriage issue. The effort intensifies when lawmakers convene their 2010 session next month.
Full Story from Sioux City Journal: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_d835aa94-95d6-578d-8c86-59f9459b1e9b.html
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in condition of the state speech, foes, Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, rally | No Responses »
Saturday, December 19th, 2009
During a taping of the IPTV “Iowa Press” show today, Republican leaders in the two Iowa chambers said they’d push ways to overturn same-sex marriage, which became legal in April following an Iowa Supreme Court ruling. Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, said he’d attempt to air ways to get a state constitutional referendum on marriage before Iowans.
At roughly the same time McKinley was recording the show, here in Sioux City Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, was previewing key issues for 2010. After he addressed fiscal matters for the entire length of his remarks, I asked if he would allow a Senate floor debate on marriage. Nope, he quickly answered.
Why? “I’m not about to put discrimination into the state constitution,” Gronstal said.
So you agree with the court ruling? “Yes.”
Full Story from the Sioux City Journal: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/app/blogs/politically_speaking/?p=1884
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in debate, Gay Marriage, iowa, Mike Gronstal, repeal, senate | No Responses »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Last night, I had the pleasure of serving as moderator of a discussion about the politics of the marriage issue in Iowa. David Redlawsk of Rutgers University and Kathie Obradovich, the Register’s political columnist were interesting panelists. It is difficult for me to summarize what these two bright people said. And, it would be unfair to them for me to try to interpret their remarks. So, I will tell you a few of my impressions and what has stuck with me the day after.
The first real test of the marriage issue comes in November 2010. Three Iowa Supreme Court Justices will be on the ballot. A “yes” vote means a Justice will retain his job and a “no” gives the next governor the opportunity to pick a replacement. Since all seven Justices were in agreement on the marriage ruling, opponents of the ruling have three targets. Picking off any or all of the Justices will be a moral victory for their cause.
Compared to Maine and some of the other recent marriage “test” states, Iowa’s political landscape is different when it comes to marriage. Because Iowa’s Constitution cannot be changed quickly, the length of the ground war will alter the strategy of both proponents and opponents of same sex marriage. Some would argue the threats and scare tactics that were successful in Maine this year and California last may not be as effective by the time Iowans go to the polls.
Full Story from Des Moines Register: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/12/15/marriage-politics/
Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in gay mariage, ia, iowa, marriage equality, same sex marriage | No Responses »
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
An automated call featuring one of Terry Branstad’s former lieutenant governors asking Republicans to support same-sex marriage has drawn the ire of social conservatives.
The calls, which feature the voice of Republican Joy Corning and were paid for by gay rights group One Iowa, say the Iowa Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage continues “Iowa’s tradition of protecting the civil rights of all Iowans.”
One of Branstad’s rivals for the 2010 gubernatorial nomination, Bob Vander Plaats, said the calls are another reason to question Branstad’s commitment to opposing same-sex marriage.
Full Story from the Iowa Independent: http://iowaindependent.com/22236/corning-auto-calls-infuriate-conservatives
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in Gay Marriage, gop, ia, iowa, republicans, robocalls | No Responses »
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
Chuck Swaggerty and Jason Morgan were one of six couples who were parties to a court case leading to the April 2 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in the state.
They believe they were among the first same-sex couples to marry in the state, journeying a county north to be married shortly after 8 a.m. April 27 in the Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars.
The two had been in a committed relationship for years, Chuck Swaggerty-Morgan said, but they wanted the legal protection that comes from a state-sanctioned marriage. Six months later, their life has changed for the better, they said, for the ability to both be covered by the health insurance Chuck Swaggerty-Morgan has at his job and for being able to adopt children as a couple.
Full Story from the Sioux City Journal: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_4b7e075e-b1ba-5a52-a282-8de89cfadea6.html
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Iowa.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in gay couple, Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, sioux city | No Responses »
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
To most Iowans, same-sex marriage, now legal in the state, is not a burning issue that political candidates and legislators should spend precious time and resources on, according to the state’s largest gay and lesbian advocacy group.
But One Iowa is not taking the situation for granted. The group is criss-crossing the state, urging voters to contact lawmakers to ensure that same-sex marriage remains legal as a result of an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on April 3.
“The vast majority of Iowans are concerned about bread-and-butter issues. They don’t want to see lawmakers tied up in a contentious two- or three-year fight to amend our constitution,” to ban same-sex marriage, said Justin Uebelhor, director of communications for One Iowa, who made a stop in Dubuque on Tuesday.
Full Story from TH Online: http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=261091
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in Gay Marriage, ia, iowa, national organization for marriage, nom, one iowa, reclaim iowa | No Responses »
