Iowa Republican launches campaign in support of same-sex marriage

from The Des Moines Register

... Five years ago [former Sen. Jeff] Angelo, who did not seek reelection in 2008, co-sponsored a bill that would have launched a process to amend Iowa’s constitution and prohibit same-sex marriage.

Angelo has since said his former position on the issue was wrong. He has said his views have evolved because of his friendships with Iowans who have same-sex couples in their families. Those families deserve the same protections of marriage as similarly committed opposite-sex couples, he has said.

“I don’t think this debate reflects the character of Iowans, the culture of Iowa,” he told The Des Moines Register last week. “Iowa is culturally a state that is very welcoming, that celebrates its people, is very protective of its people.”

The new group will be called Iowa Republicans for Freedom. The group will formally launch Wednesday at 11 a.m. on the west Capitol terrace near the intersection of Locust St. and Pennsylvania Avenue in Des Moines.

Read the full story from The Des Moines Register.
Read more about the conservative case for civil marriage.
Watch Sen. Angelo's testimony at the HJR6 public hearing Jan. 31, 2011.