As the first anniversary of the Iowa
Supreme Court's April 3 unanimous decision legalizing gay marriage in
the state nears, social conservatives are denouncing the celebration.
In a statement released Wednesday, the
Iowa
Family Policy Center (IFPC), the state's most vociferous opponent
of gay marriage, said its members would be celebrating “the death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life” as the
gay and lesbian community celebrates “personal choices that lead to
eternal death.”
“Our God lives!” Chuck Hurley,
president of the Christian-based group, said. “This weekend we
will gather to worship a risen Savior. No matter how many
un-Biblical, unconstitutional Supreme Court rulings you get, we will
continue standing for righteousness in the public square, and
reminding everyone there is a power over sin and death available to
all through God's only Son, Jesus Christ.”
Earlier in the month, Hurley created a
stir when he said the secondhand impact of gay marriage is more
destructive than smoking in urging lawmakers to take up a
constitutional amendment banning the institution.
“The Iowa Legislature outlawed
smoking in an effort to improve health and reduce the medical costs
that are often passed on to the state,” Hurley said in a statement.
“The secondhand impacts of certain homosexual acts are arguably
more destructive, and potentially more costly to society than
smoking.”
“Homosexual activity is certainly
more dangerous for the individuals who engage in it than is smoking,”
he added.
Hurley said he based his conclusions on
a report issued this week by the U.S. Center for Disease Control that
found gay men have higher rates of HIV and syphilis. The agency's
report, however, found that “factors such as homophobia and stigma”
increase the likelihood that gay men won't seek prevention, testing
and treatment services.
Social conservatives in Iowa have
declared war on the state Supreme Court's 2009 unanimous ruling
legalizing gay marriage and are fuming that Democrats have blocked
passage of a resolution that would put the issue before voters.
Opponents have vowed to make repeal of gay marriage in the state a
pivotal issue in the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Gay activists, led by the state's
largest gay advocate, One
Iowa, are planning a number of events to celebrate the first
anniversary, including an anniversary gala to be held on Saturday
at the Temple for Performing Arts in Des Moines.