One Iowa Weekly Word - Feb. 3
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February 3, 2009 www.oneiowa.org |
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Our Work in Focus City Council of Sioux City Passes Shameful Resolution
I grew up in Sioux City. Like many former Siouxlanders I feel disappointed by the City Councils passage of a resolution last night, defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The resolution also calls on the legislature of Iowa to pass a constitutional amendment. While the passage of this resolution is something that quite frankly is embarrassing, I don’t believe that this resolution represents everyone who currently calls Sioux City home. I still have family and many friends there. The important lesson to draw from what three council members in Sioux City did last night is that winning equality for gay and lesbian couples isn’t going to be easy. Throughout history those standing up for civil rights found themselves standing against the entrenched interests of the majority. Last night was no different with a majority of community members speaking in favor of the resolution. It’s clear we still have our work cut out for us, so I’d ask everyone who disagrees with the resolution passed last night in Sioux City to take the time and visit www.oneiowa.org to see how you can help win hearts and change minds. Host a house party to educate your friends or take the time to visit your state legislators. Click here to view One Iowa's press release on the resolution |
Upcoming Events February 3, 2009 7 PM Grinnell Marriage Forum Veteran's Memorial Building 834 Broad St. February 4, 2009 12 noon Statewide Steering Committee Conference Call Contact matt@oneiowa.org for dial-in information February 9, 2009 5 PM Mason City Steering Committee Meeting 5 Creekside Ct., Mason City February 9, 2009 7 PM Mason City Marriage Forum First Presbyterian Church 100 S. Pierce Ave. February 9, 2009 7-9 PM Grace United Methodist discussion group "Love, Sex, Relationships, and the Church" Weekly Session 2 of 4 "For the Bible Tell Me So" showing Grace United Methodist Church 3700 Cottage Grove, Des Moines February 10, 2009 9 AM-4PM Marriage Equality Day at the Capitol Details and RSVP February 11, 2009 8 PM ISU/Ames "Our Story" premiere ISU LGBTA Alliance meeting ISU campus, Martin Hall 2121 February 12, 7 PM Iowa City "Our Story" premiere Englert Theater 221 E. Washington St. February 13, 5-7 PM One Iowa Happy Hour Azalea Restaurant 400 Walnut St., Des Moines February 16, 5:30 PM "Transgender Medicine 101" featuring Dr. Christine McGinn FREE and open to the public Dinner at 5:45, lecture at 6:00 Des Moines University Student Education Center Auditorium 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines February 18, 2009 6:30 PM Let My Parents Marry - Iowa City Coralville Public Library Meeting Room A 1401 5th St., Coralville February 19, 2009 6:30 PM Let My Parents Marry - Des Moines Des Moines Public Library Meeting Room 1 1000 Grand Ave. Feb. 26-27 As Iowa Goes So Goes the Nation Symposium Varnum v. Brien and its Impact on Marriage Rights for Same-Sex Couples Sponsored by the Journal of Gender, Race, and Justice and featuring a keynote by Dan Savage University of Iowa School of Law Iowa City, IA Click for information and registration |
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Freedom to Marry Week is on the Horizon! The week of February 8-14 is national Freedom to Marry Week! Events are planned across the country to support marriage equality and spark a national discussion about the freedom to marry. To celebrate the week, the organization Freedom to Marry has planned 7 Conversations in 7 Days to get people talking about marriage equality. Please consider signing their pledge and doing your part to start the conversation! Here in Iowa, we have planned many events for the week. We will kick the week off in Mason City with one of our ongoing Marriage equality forums. On Tuesday, we'll celebrate Marriage Equality Day at the Capitol, and we'll end the week with our One Iowa Happy Hour on Friday. Details for these and other Freedom to Marry week events can be found to the right in the "Upcoming Events" section. |
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In the News Feb. 3 Iowa Independent: LGBT group calls Sioux City vote ’shameful’ Carolyn Jenison, the executive director One Iowa, said the resolution singles out gays and lesbians for unequal treatment. “It’s disheartening to see council members pushing such a mean-spirited resolution, when most Iowans want their leaders to focus on the issues we all face. I can’t understand how, in the midst of economic turmoil, the council can spend their time finding ways to divide us,” Jenison said. Jan. 29 Blog for Iowa: Can't Let this Hot Potato Drop: Sioux City vs. Gay Marriage It was Ferris whose vote tabled the ridiculous waste-of-time motion in the first place. And now he seems hell-bent on bringing this massively intrusive and divisive issue back to the city council--a governing body that has no jurisdiction over the issue whatsoever. Feb. 3 Sioux City Journal: Council passes 'traditional-marriage' resolution Hobart said he considered "leaving the mayor's seat empty" during the debate. He thought about abstaining. He considered not signing the official document. *We want to know what you're reading! If you see an Iowa-related LGBT news item in your local newspaper, please forward it to justin@one-iowa.org. |
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