Opponents of gay marriage in Iowa are
organizing a large rally next month to pressure lawmakers to act on a
gay marriage ban, Fox News reported.
Social conservatives have vowed to
reverse the Iowa Supreme Court's April 3 unanimous ruling that
legalized gay marriage in the state with a constitutional amendment
that bans the institution.
Unlike other states such as California,
a constitutional amendment needs the approval of the General Assembly
before heading to the ballot box.
The anti-gay group Iowa
Family Policy Council Action is sponsoring the January 12 rally,
which is expected to draw hundreds to the Capitol to protest
Democratic Governor Chet Culver's address on the Condition of the
State to a joint session of the General Assembly with Iowa Supreme
Court justices present. Democrats, who control both houses and the
governor's mansion, have repeatedly blocked Republican efforts to ban
gay marriage.
But opponents believe the issue of gay
marriage will reignite the GOP base in 2010 as voters head to the
polls to elect new leadership.
Bryan English, the group's spokesman,
told the news agency that the event is important because it marks the
first time all three branches of state government are together since
gay marriage was legalized in Iowa.