Iowa House Bans All Gay Unions

By a GOP-led vote of 62-37, today the Iowa House voted to strip all legal recognitions for LGBT couples.

If passed through both legislative bodies in two consecutive General Assemblies, the issue could be on the ballot as soon as 2013. “The proposed amendment devalues families and divides Iowans,” said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. “The Constitution is meant to protect the freedoms and liberties of all Iowans. It is inappropriate to use the political process to single out and deny a group of Iowans of their constitutional protections.” “This goes beyond politics,” said Iowa City resident Katie Imborek. “This is about our family and the ability for Paula and me to care for one another and our two children. At a time when so many Iowans are struggling just to make ends meet, I don’t understand why legislators would choose to take up this issue.”

The only person standing between the national anti-gay groups and fairness is Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D), who has vowed not to allow the issue to come up for a vote. However Democrats maintain only a slim two vote majority in the state Senate and should a vote somehow be forced, it's unclear what the result might be.