Do Iowa Republicans Think AIDS Is Punishment for Homosexuality?

by Michael Jones · 2010-08-17 14:48:00 UTC
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Sometimes it seems as if Iowa Republicans are trying to outdo one another when it comes to saying particularly outrageous and homophobic comments. So far this year, one Iowa legislator suggested that gay families should be kept from Iowa campgrounds and that banning gay marriage is just like banning barefoot people from Burger King. Classy.

But not to be outdone, another GOP politician in the state is making waves for announcing that AIDS is punishment for homosexuality. How 1980s of him.

That politician would be Jeremy Walters, who is running in Iowa House District 67 for a seat in the Iowa State Legislature. Today, Walters took to his Facebook page to share his thoughts on why gay people are to blame for one of the most deadly pandemics in the world.

"The Holy Bible say (sic) if your (sic) "GAY" homosexual they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. This tells me alot (sic) so should we kill them NO. They Need to ask God to forgive them of their sins and mean it turn away from it. They also need to know that when it says that their blood shall be upon them that tells me it is AIDS. Thats (sic) how I feel," Walters said in his Facebook status.

Well, you have to admit, it's certainly an eye-catching Facebook status ... much more so than "Looking forward to the weekend," or "Making lemonade." But is rhetoric like this completely dangerous and inappropriate? Darn right. That's why it's time to call on the Iowa GOP to condemn Walters remarks. As the GOP candidate in the District, the Iowa Republican Party should be doing everything it can to separate themselves from Walters' disturbingly backwards statements.

One Iowa, the leading LGBT rights group in Iowa, issued a statement this afternoon condemning Walters' comments, and asking for all folks, regardless of political party, to join together in condemning this type of language and blame game.

"Jeremy Walters' comments are offensive and they have no place in this year's election," said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. "We call on the Republican Party of Iowa to denounce Walters' comments immediately. HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that does not discriminate. It’s a matter of life and death for many Iowans.”

Voters in Iowa's 67th House District will no doubt get to choose whether they think Walters is qualified and deserving of a seat in the State Legislature. But his comments go beyond just this specific electoral race. They really deserve to be condemned by every side of the political aisle.

Take a moment to send a message to the Iowa Republican Party, urging them to condemn Walters' remarks. And if you want to see Walters' comments live and in person, head on over to his Facebook page. And lest you think Walters is some fringe element, note that in his bio, he's pretty immersed in Iowa GOP politics. He's been a House District Director for Polk County, a Precinct Chairman and a County Delegate ... not to mention a volunteer for Ron Paul's campaign. Needless to say, this is someone who has some deep history within Iowa GOP politics.

Too bad Iowa GOP politics should have no place for someone with outdated and dangerous beliefs about HIV/AIDS as Walters.

Photo credit: Dani Hydes

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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