Iowa to Revoke Marriage Equality?

by Tom Basgil Jr. · 2011-01-20 08:30:00 UTC
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First, Iowa same-gender couples couldn’t get married, then they could, and now the right might be taken away. I think I’m suffering from some Prop 8 déjà vu here.

Iowa Republicans are pushing a measure to revoke marriage rights from same-gender couples. Not only will marriage be off the table, civil unions and domestic partnerships will also not be recognized by the state. If this passes, Iowans would be able to vote on an anti-marriage constitutional amendment as early as 2013.

House Joint Resolution 6 states, “Marriage between one man and one woman shall be the only legal union valid or recognized in this state.” 56 of 60 House Republicans co-signed the bill. No Democrats signed the bill, but the GOP is the one running the House.

However, don’t panic. Two consecutive General Assemblies must pass the measure before it can go before voters. That means that this year’s and next year’s House would both have to approve the anti-marriage constitutional amendment. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat, has vowed to block a vote on the measure when it comes up to the Senate.

One Iowa, the state’s largest LGBT group, disseminated a press release on the amendment. “Marriage says ‘we’re a family’ like nothing else and is an important way we care for those we love. Writing discrimination into the Constitution will only divide us at a time when we need to work together to tackle common concerns,” said Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. Joblessness versus banning marriage? The ball’s in your court, legislators of Iowa. Thankfully, anti-equality groups have been largely silent on this amendment.

Once more, we find that anti-equality advocates are trying to revoke the freedom to marry. They’re on the wrong side of history but seem to be clueless about it. Will they have to wait until their grandkids question them about their homophobic actions before they get the hint?

Photo Credit: Colin M.L. Burnett

Tom Basgil Jr. is a queer activist living in New York City.
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