Why Iowa won't go backwards on marriage rights

Iowa State Senator Matt McCoy, the first openly gay member of the Iowa Legislature, describes why he thinks Iowa won't to backwards on marriage rights. More info: www.iowasenatenews.com and www.mccoyforsenate.com.


TRANSCRIPT:

Hello. Im Matt McCoy. I represent the south side of Des Moines, Senate District 31 in the Iowa Senate. Im a lifelong Iowan, an former Eagle Scout, community development director, a father, and the first openly gay member of the Iowa Legislature.

Today is a red letter day for the state of Iowa. All of Iowas citizens now have equal protection under the law.

Thousands of Iowans who have worked hard, raised families, and paid taxes will now be afforded the opportunity to marry. Fair minded people throughout our state support equality for all.




I have never been more proud of all the Iowans who have worked continuously for the advancement of human rights for all.

Today we in Iowa are sending a message to all Americans, gay and straight. If you are looking for a great place to live, a place where people treat their neighbors with respect, please consider coming to Iowa to work, to invest and to raise a family.

Unlike the fight in California, I believe that this issue is settled. Iowans will move on to fixing our economy, providing health care to our citizens and making our state a better place to live.

Heres why I believe Iowa will not go backwards when it comes to civil rights.

One, Iowa has a long history of civil rights leadership.

In 1839, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected slavery in a decision that found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War decided the issue.

In 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated separate but equal schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

In 1873, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations, 91 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

In 1869, Iowa became the first state in the union to admit women to the practice of law.

Two, social conservatives have made their case to Iowans and been rejected.

The Iowa Republican Party is one of the most conservative in the country. For example, the Republican winners of the Iowa Presidential Caucuses include Pat Robertson, Pat Buchanan, and Mike Huckleebe.

Here in Iowa, the Republican Party has focused on fringe issues for some time. And Iowans have responded by electing Democrats.

In less than a decade, legislative debate has moved from considering laws banning gay Iowans from adopting children or being foster parents to passage of legislation protecting children from bullying in schools, expanding Iowas civil rights protections to include sexual orientation and transgender, a vote AGAINST amending the Constitution to ban gay marriage, and, now, a court decision providing full marriage equality.

Third, the Iowa Constitution cant be changed quickly. As I said, weve already had one vote in the Iowa Senate on amending the constitution to ban gay marriage, and that failed.. That was when Republicans had the majority. Every Democrat voted no and enough Republicans joined us to defeat the idea.

Now Democrats control the Iowa House and Senate, and legislative leaders say the issue wont come up for vote.

Even if it does, Constitutional Amendments must be approved by two different two-year General Assemblies before they go to the people for a vote.

In short, there is no way a flood of out-of-state money can be used to quickly scare Iowans into going backwards on civil rights.

I believe marriage equality is here to stay. And Iowans will quickly realize that it is no big deal.

Today Iowa is sending a message to young people, both gay and straight. If you are looking for a great place to live, a place where people treat their neighbors with respect, come to Iowa to work, to invest and to raise a family.

Im so proud to be an Iowan today. Thanks for celebrating with us. And whether youre gay or straight, think about coming to Iowa to get married.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Matt McCoy
• Iowa Senate
• Marriage

[dedede27]

The funny thing is that all of your arguments can be thrown back at you. How much better was your life when gays couldn't marry in Iowa? The answer to your question is gays now have the right to marry in Iowa that they have not had elsewhere. from what i can tell so far, you want deny them right "just because"

bigot : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

Yes, you ARE a bigot.

[carobcoolyn]

Actually the Bible does not mention long term monogamous homosexual relationships. The Bible only mentions homosexuality in a promiscuous sort of way. Find one place in the Bible that even mentions a long term monogamous homosexual relationships and I will be surprised.....it is not in the Bible! Promiscuity is unheathly no matter what a persons sexuality is.

[oOKdLuvsOo]

@SilentPainTears By 'Iowa wont go backward' they mean they wont take back a law that they already issued, and on a more emotional level, give people a right then take it back. If you try to sound intelligent, dont start by acting stupid

[lousyd]

I guess this prediction didn't work out too well.

[Bestmanme08]

Google "Help Brian Brown of NOM" and stop gay marriage in America!

[saddledsm]

Iowa really is a great place to live in. Especially for the LGBT community. This state is extremely gay friendly.

[MichaelFondledMe]

Today (Nov 3, 2010) is a red letter day for Iowa... I agree.

However, I don't think that Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and justices David Baker and Michael Streit would agree with you.

[lykeomgz1987]

I love you Iowa! I hope the rest of the states follow you.

[Ebenoozen]

I love when the righteous dredge up OLD TESTAMENT quotes to back up their poor mis-guided beliefs. Thou shalt not partake of the flesh of the filthy pig;... Have you enjoyed a ham sandwich lately? You've sinned! And, in the OLD TESTAMENT, it was preached not to consume the shell fish of the seas.... I know.. I know... But a shrimp dinner just tasts so good. You've sinned! And there is also something I found about not wearing blended thread, but, even I like poly-blended fabrics! Let go.

[soldoutsky]

@moshady8008 @silentpaintears not all citizens follow your religious beliefs. just because you believe it's wrong, what gives you the privilege to impose that viewpoint on everyone else? i think the sky is pink, i have 4 million people who will agree with me. does that make me right? no.

[Lohitaksha]

Remember, Paul was not dealing with Americans being denied equal treatment under the US Constitution by other Americans.

Paul was not consulted in the drafting of the Constitution and still has no say in the matter.

[Glopdemon]

@moshady8008 Nothing has been imposed on anybody. Unless you know of someone who was forced into a same sex marriage at gunpoint?