Anti-gay group takes aim at Iowa families
Anti-gay group the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) staged a rally in Iowa on Aug. 1, and told a small crowd of supporters that broken families result in higher taxes. The group then suggested that one way to preserve heterosexual marriages--and save taxpayers money--would be to rescind marriage equality in Iowa.
NOM’s stop in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, is part of the group’s ongoing, 19-state tour to decry marriage rights for same-sex families and to defend "traditional" marriage, reported an Aug. 2 Associated Press story.
The anti-gay rally drew a small crowd of around 75 people, the AP article said. Another rally sponsored by local marriage equality group One Iowa drew several times as many supporters--about 250. ...
"As long as Mike Gronstal is the de facto governor of Iowa, there’s not going to be a marriage amendment, barring direct intervention in that man’s heart by God himself," anti-gay Christian talk radio host Steve Deace told the media. "Beyond that, like the Pharaoh of old Mr. Gronstal’s heart is hardened towards righteousness and morality, and it’s clear that promotion of homosexuality is something he’s serious about. He’s not budging, and the few of his fellow Democrats who might otherwise share the views of folks like me are too intimidated by him to stick their necks out for what’s right."
The [Iowa Independent] article noted that Iowa Democrats had prevented anti-gay amendments to the state’s constitution from gaining traction since 2004. But anti-gay activists are contemplating an array of options. "The strategy going forward is to focus the debate not on passage of an amendment, because that’s not going to happen, but on who has the final say in this debate--the people or the courts," said Angelo, adding, "I think this could be a significant issue in the next election." To that end, Angelo advocated keeping the issue alive in the public forum: "This is about starting early in the battle for the hearts and minds of the public."
