A House resolution that seeks to repeal
gay marriage in Iowa will receive its first public hearing on Monday,
the Iowa Independent reported.
The Iowa Marriage Amendment (IMA) that
seeks to put a question on the 2013 ballot that would define marriage
in the Iowa Constitution as a heterosexual union – and thereby
reverse the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that brought gay marriage
to the Midwest – cleared its first hurdle on Monday.
After a subcommittee of the House
Judiciary Committee voted 2-1 in favor of the resolution, the full
committee followed suit with a 13-8 vote. The measure now moves to
the full House for debate, where 56 Republicans have pledged their
support. Only 51 votes are needed in the 100 member chamber to
approve the measure.
The resolution would also ban civil
unions, domestic partnerships and any other legal recognition of gay
and lesbian couples.
Monday's public hearing is set for
6:30PM and is expected to last 2 hours. People interested in
testifying may sign up at the Legislative Information Office, Room
G16, or call 515-281-5129. Written testimony is accepted via email
at lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us.
Please include “Testimony” as the subject.