04/26/2007
Iowa Passes Gay Civil Rights Bill
Good news out of Iowa. A civil rights bill that would protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in housing and employment flew through the Iowa House (59-37) and Senate (34-16) on Wednesday, and now heads to the desk of Iowa governor Chet Culver, who has indicated he'll sign the bill.
Said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-Des Moines): "It is a historic vote. I also think it was a mainstream vote. This was not some sort of liberal social agenda. This is just saying that under housing and employment, people should not be discriminated based upon their real or perceived sexual orientation."
The bill has been pushed for years, according to the Globe Gazette: "Janelle Rettig of Iowa City has worked for about 17 years to get Iowa to adopt a civil rights measure protecting gays and lesbians. She hadn’t expected it to pass this year. 'I couldn’t be prouder of my state than today,' Rettig said. Rettig recently was appointed and confirmed to the state’s Natural Resource Commission, but had feared the fact that she is a lesbian would mean she might not be confirmed by the Iowa Senate. 'We couldn’t ask for more than to be judged by who we are and how well we work and the potential to be good citizens,' Rettig said."
Iowa House approves gay rights bill; Culver guarantees signature [globe gazette]
Legislators support bill protecting gay rights [des moines register]
House approves gay rights bill [sioux city journal]
Posted 10:56 AM EST by Andy Towle in Discrimination, Gay Rights, Iowa, News | Permalink
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I lived my first 32 years in Iowa, the last 10 of which I was the guy who had the only-gay-in-the-village letter to the editor in the local paper every month. And I NEVER got any crap from anybody about it.
Iowa took its sweet time getting legislation like this passed, but Iowans have long been far more evolved than people give them credit for.
Posted by: Jake | Apr 26, 2007 11:50:27 AM
As a native Iowan, I would say I'm very proud. Although, I would also have to agree with Janelle that this is surprising. During the 90's, the state was infiltrated with religious right politicians and preachers. It was a very powerful group--especially during caucus time. Now, I think that group has become less influential and attitudes are changing. Its nice to see.
Posted by: Anselmnyc | Apr 26, 2007 11:51:24 AM
Once Iowa goes, the religious right has lost this battle for sure. I expected it to take longer for this to happen but things are definitely moving faster than one could expect. Expect the fundies to get even more shrill and out there in their attempts to get attention.
Posted by: Anon | Apr 26, 2007 12:06:21 PM
^^ This is a great year for gay rights. And I think even the religious right are starting to understand that there is no way to stop progress.
This is the time for the emancipation of gays everywhere, and the whole world will soon have to reorganize around this new reality.
Posted by: Da | Apr 26, 2007 12:11:16 PM
Yay! I remember successfully getting the city of Ames to pass this legislation back in the eighties - we rallied the city council and got it passed. As a 27 year former resident of Iowa, I am very happy!
Posted by: Jay | Apr 26, 2007 12:59:11 PM
Well, the Democrats did promise "a new direction for America" when they took over all these state governments (Oregon, New Hampshire, Iowa, etc.) and Congress. Although, at the time, I was quite skeptical about the seriousness of such rethoric.
But for the first time in recent memory, they actually meant it. I guess the party of "weenies and wusses" isn't so effete anymore. There's hope for this country yet.
Posted by: John | Apr 26, 2007 1:17:35 PM
COngratulations Iowa! Now, what is taking so long for Pennsylvania and Delaware to pass a gay equality law? You too, Colorado!
Posted by: Javier | Apr 26, 2007 2:10:00 PM
Strangely enough Javier, in Delaware it's the DEMOCRATICALLY held Senate that has been killing gay non-discrimination bills. The Republican controlled House has already passed it. Go figure.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 26, 2007 5:25:42 PM
Congrats Iowa!
Now repeal that damned anti-gay marriage amendment!
One thing I don't understand is why, just a week or two ago, we heard that the bill wasn't going to be brought to the floor for a vote because they knew they didn't have the votes to pass it. Now, just a short time later, it goes to the floor and passes with an overwhelming majority.
Whaaa?
I love the quote by Majority Leader McCarthy, "...that UNDER HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT, people should not be discriminated based upon their real or perceived sexual orientation".
Interesting how he carefully qualified that statement. I guess it's OK to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation when it comes to other things; like marriage for example.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 26, 2007 5:32:58 PM
Arizona needs to step up to the plate too.
Posted by: Drake | Apr 26, 2007 8:55:47 PM
It's really a good this was Iowa. Had it been Georgia (where I live), I'd currently be in the hospital recovering from the major heart attack the news would have given me rather than typing on a message blog.
Posted by: Dean | Apr 27, 2007 11:07:08 PM
Romans 1:26-27
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
Posted by: John | Apr 28, 2007 8:11:27 AM
Hmmm... and here we have "John"- yet someone else that seems to dislike us gay folk, yet finds the time to cruise the gay blogs.
Here's another little tidbit of scripture for you, Brother John... Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Posted by: Dean | Apr 29, 2007 6:51:38 AM
As long as you are trying to hide behind judge not ... God is the judge and he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. Be sure your sin will find you out. As for the facts go. Aids is on the move and it is moving FAST in the homosexual community
Posted by: randall | May 26, 2007 9:57:48 PM