Iowa gay marriage poll points to it becoming status quo

A recent poll indicates that gay marriage may be well on its way to becoming the status quo in Iowa even though its legalization is less than six months old.

A poll conducted last week by the state’s dominant newspaper, the Des Moines Register, shows an even split between Iowans over marriage with 41 percent saying they would consider voting for an amendment banning the procedure and 40 percent saying they would uphold the existing law established by way of the state Supreme Court.

That would appear to be encouraging news for traditional marriage proponents, but there is much more to be considered.

The Iowa Legislature would need to approve the movement toward a constitutional amendment in two consecutive sessions. That requires political will which equates to wide public engagement on the issue. According to the poll, 92 percent of Iowans say the law has had no real effect on their lives, even though a majority of those polled say they don’t like it.

In 2010, all the Iowa House seats are in play, as is half the Senate. There will be a governor’s race as well. Republicans are in the minority in both halves of the Legislature and the governor is a Democrat. Even though gay marriage is a topic being brought up by many GOP hopefuls, a former state party chairman concedes economic issues are more likely to rule the day.

“I think all of the candidates are going to state that they believe the people ought to be given the right to vote on a constitutional amendment. That’s a reasonable approach,” Mike Mahaffey said. “I also think when it comes down to it, the overriding issues are going to be what can we do to create jobs and put ourselves in a better position fiscally.”

The real lesson here may not be for the people of Iowa but for residents of Maine and Washington state who are considering gay marriage and an “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law, respectively. As Massachusetts can attest to over the past five years, whether you’re for it, against it or ambivalent, once gay marriage is in place removing it from the books is difficult. The defeat of Proposition 8 in California last November is a prominent exception from which Iowa opponents will likely draw motivation.

 

Be First to Comment

  1. newcreation said:

    i got delivered totally from homosexuality just this september. hallelujah! i broke up with my same-sex partner without guilt. i thank God for my new life. homosexual love can be changed into pure love for God. i don’t support gay marriage. it is not in line with God’s perfect will for us. my faith is in Him and His Word (the Holy Bible).

    September 30, 2009
    Reply
  2. shadow_man said:

    newcreation: You are breaking one of the 10 commandments by spewing out lies and bigotry (Thou shalt not lie) Anyone who’s educated know that reparative therapy does not work. No valid scientific evidence supports it. Second, stop taking the Bible out of context to condone your bigotry. No passage in the Bible says homosexuality is a sin. God created homosexuals, approves of them, and loves them. Those passages you take out of context (i.e. corinthians, leviticus, etc) had to do with idolatrous practices that were widespread during that time period, not same-sex relationships.

    September 30, 2009
    Reply
  3. trisha59 said:

    There is a lot of human activity not in line with his perfect will for us. I am divorced and remarried. I choose–along with many–to live an unrepentant life style Jesus condemned (he never weighed in on homosexuality). My children have all lived with their future spouses before marriage–unrepentantly. Jesus condemned this sin as well. But his message was about a trusting relationship with God–not trying to live up to the law because WE ALL FAIL. We are all sinners before God–none is better than another. We all deserve his judgment–that is why Jesus had to come for the whole world–including us heterosexuals.

    September 30, 2009
    Reply
  4. newcreation said:

    to trisha and shadowman, this is my new life in christ jesus. i am at peace. i am forgiven and i am assured of my salvation. in my previous post i did not write anything about WHAT OTHERS SHOULD DO, WHAT OTHERS SHOULD BELIEVE. i just expressed a personal opinion and testimony. i did not mean to offend anyone. shalom!

    September 30, 2009
    Reply
  5. PolishBear said:

    DEAR NEWCREATION: If you are genuinely happy with where you are at this point in your life, good for you. And when you say you don’t support Gay marriage, I would certainly encourage you to conduct your own personal life accordingly. But is it really fair to Gay couples (who may not necessarily share your beliefs) for you to insist that they cannot participate in equal protection under the law? Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the Supreme Court ruled that there was no Constitutional justification for denying Gay couples the same legal benefits and responsibilities that Straight couples have always taken for granted, but that those benefits and responsibilities could be granted to Gay couples under a different term … such as “civil unions.” The rights under tax law, Social Security, etc. would be EXACTLY the same for Gay and Straight couples; only the terminology would be different. Opposite-sex couples would be allow the option to “marry,” and same-sex couples would be allowed the option to enter into “civil unions.” Social conservatives could keep the term “marriage” for themselves, and Gay couples would be granted equal protection as specified by the 14th Amendment. Frankly, I could live with that. How about YOU? When marriage equality for Gay couples finally becomes a reality (and it eventually will), I can promise you with 100% certainty that it will not affect your life, your church, or your family ONE BIT. You will never have to worry about being denied a job or your love because of YOUR sexual orientation. Your church will never be forced to marry Gay couples, any more than it is forced to marry non-Christian couples. Perhaps the best thing for you to do when it comes to your dealings with Gay individuals and couples is simply to obey The Golden Rule: Treat them as you yourself would wish to be treated.

    October 1, 2009
    Reply

Leave a Reply to PolishBear Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *