Provided the Democrat controlled state legislature refuses to vote on a gay marriage amendment this session - which appears likely at this time - no popular vote can take place until 2014. Not that the Christo-fascists won't be using the gay menace to line their pockets and continue gay bashing in the interim. After all, Maggie Gallagher and her minions DO want to keep paying themselves fat pay checks. One can only hope that after another four years, normal Iowa citizens will see that the world and civilization have not ended because same sex couples have civil legal rights and there will be minimal support to ban gay marriage outside of the swamps of freeper land. In addition, Iowa - unlike backwards Virginia - requires a super majority vote to amend the state's constitution. Here are some highlights from the Chicago Tribune: *
DES MOINES, Iowa - Gov. Chet Culver and Democratic legislative leaders intend to focus on the state's budget shortfall when the Legislature convenes next week, but activists are working to get gay marriage on the agenda. The Iowa Family Policy Council, a group leading the push to approve a constitutional amendment overturning the court ruling, also is criticizing Culver for issuing a proclamation that supports the rights of transgender people.
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"Iowans know that Governor Culver does not share their values," said Chuck Hurley, president of the council. "As if the governor's unwillingness to exercise the influence of his office in the defense of marriage wasn't enough, we now know that he is spending his time creating special days celebrating sexual disorientation."
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Price said the governor felt issuing the proclamation was an appropriate way to honor transgender people who have died. "He believes that all Iowans should be protected from discrimination and abuse," said Price, adding that he thinks Hurley was using the issue to score political points and gain attention in the days before the group's rally.
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One Iowa spokesman Justin Uebelhor said civil rights shouldn't be put to a vote. "We've never in the history of Iowa had a basic civil rights issue put to a vote," he said. "We don't think it's appropriate." Instead, Uebelhor said lawmakers should focus on creating jobs and helping the state economy. He said those are issues people care about, and "not issues that pit neighbor against neighbor."
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Culver has said he favors marriage as being between one woman and one man but that he won't support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Democrats control both legislative chambers and argue that the state's budget crunch has forced them to shorten the upcoming session, leaving no time for a debate over marriage. Amending the Iowa Constitution is a long process requiring approval in two consecutive general assemblies and a statewide vote. If lawmakers this year don't act on the issue, the soonest it could be on the ballot would be the general election of 2014.
DES MOINES, Iowa - Gov. Chet Culver and Democratic legislative leaders intend to focus on the state's budget shortfall when the Legislature convenes next week, but activists are working to get gay marriage on the agenda. The Iowa Family Policy Council, a group leading the push to approve a constitutional amendment overturning the court ruling, also is criticizing Culver for issuing a proclamation that supports the rights of transgender people.
*
"Iowans know that Governor Culver does not share their values," said Chuck Hurley, president of the council. "As if the governor's unwillingness to exercise the influence of his office in the defense of marriage wasn't enough, we now know that he is spending his time creating special days celebrating sexual disorientation."
*
Price said the governor felt issuing the proclamation was an appropriate way to honor transgender people who have died. "He believes that all Iowans should be protected from discrimination and abuse," said Price, adding that he thinks Hurley was using the issue to score political points and gain attention in the days before the group's rally.
*
One Iowa spokesman Justin Uebelhor said civil rights shouldn't be put to a vote. "We've never in the history of Iowa had a basic civil rights issue put to a vote," he said. "We don't think it's appropriate." Instead, Uebelhor said lawmakers should focus on creating jobs and helping the state economy. He said those are issues people care about, and "not issues that pit neighbor against neighbor."
*
Culver has said he favors marriage as being between one woman and one man but that he won't support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Democrats control both legislative chambers and argue that the state's budget crunch has forced them to shorten the upcoming session, leaving no time for a debate over marriage. Amending the Iowa Constitution is a long process requiring approval in two consecutive general assemblies and a statewide vote. If lawmakers this year don't act on the issue, the soonest it could be on the ballot would be the general election of 2014.
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