The conservative case for civil marriage

This article is part of our bipartisan EQUALITY: Red Blue Purple campaign.

Some people try to make marriage equality a partisan issue -- conservative versus liberal or Republican versus Democrat. But there are many conservative voices for the freedom to marry for all couples.

There are many reasons the freedom to marry fits into the values of conservative Americans:
• limited government control in individual lives,
• marriage as strengthening ideal in our communities, and
• equal treatment for all citizens under the law.

Former Iowa Sen. Jeff Angelo was lead sponsor on a constitutional amendment banning gay and lesbians from marrying in 2006, before reversing his position to become a public proponent of the conservative Republican case for the freedom to marry.

And although he agrees with the arguments of limited government and the strength of marriage, what really matters is that our friends and neighbors have all the same opportunities and responsibilities we enjoy as Iowans.

Read Jeff Angelo's opinion piece in The Des Moines Register.
Read "The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage" by Ted Olson in Newsweek.
Read about our  campaign in The Des Moines Register.
Read about our campaign in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.

Former Sen. Jeff Angelo testifies against HJR6.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney supports marriage equality.

Former first lady Barbara Bush supports marriage equality.