Marriage Equality in Iowa: A Lawmaker and Dad Does the Right Thing

Last week’s historic Iowa Supreme Court decision striking down discrimination in civil marriage won’t be overturned any time soon. State Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal effectively derailed right-wing plans to reverse the ruling when he stood up during legislative debate and said his piece:

The text follows. Grab a tissue.

One of my daughters was in the workplace one day, and her particular workplace at that moment in time… there were a whole bunch of conservative, older men. And those guys were talking about gay marriage. They were talking about discussions going on across the country. 

And my daughter Kate, after listening for about 20 minutes, said to them: You guys don’t understand. You’ve already lost. My generation doesn’t care.

I think I learned something from my daughter that day, when she said that. And I’ve talked with other people about it and that’s what I see, Senator McKinley. I see a bunch of people that merely want to profess their love for each other, and want state law to recognize that.

Is that so wrong? I don’t think that’s so wrong. As a matter of fact, last Friday night, I hugged my wife. You know I’ve been married for 37 years. I hugged my wife. I felt like our love was just a little more meaningful last Friday night because thousands of other Iowa citizens could hug each other and have the state recognize their love for each other.

No, Senator McKinley, I will not co-sponsor a leadership bill with you.

Now, that is what lawmakers are supposed to do. Advice: Keep building bridges and talking with those not yet enlightened.

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