Socially conservative groups are
preparing for a new push to end gay marriage in Iowa.
The push begins on Tuesday with a
counter demonstration to a gay marriage rally at the Capitol
sponsored by legal group Lambda Legal and One Iowa, the state's
largest gay rights advocate.
In an email to supporters, Chuck Hurley
of the newly formed The FAMiLY LEADER described the Iowa Supreme
Court decision that brought gay marriage to the Midwest as “the
unconstitutional Varnum decision,” and urged members to
attend the rally.
“Please try and make it to the
Capitol on Tuesday to respectfully stand up for true marriage and the
right of Iowans to vote on a Marriage Amendment, a right exercised by
30 other states in the Union!”
Lawmakers have already announced
they'll introduce a resolution that will begin the process of placing
the question on the ballot.
According to the group, the joint
resolution enjoys more than sufficient support in the
Republican-controlled House to win passage. But Senate Majority
Leader Mike Gronstal has already promised to block the effort in the
Senate.
“Rep. [Dwayne] Alons will probably
have the 60 co-sponsors when he files the bill next week (only 51 are
needed for passage),” the group wrote.
Conservatives are planning their own
rally in support of Alons' bill on Saturday, January 15 at 2PM at the
Mid-America Energy Center in Council Bluffs.
Moves to ban gay marriage or repeal its
legalization are also taking place in New
Hampshire, New
Mexico, Minnesota
and Wyoming.