Congressman King: "If Gays Don't Advertise It, They Won't Get Discriminated Against"

Congressman Steve King (R) of Iowa has defended his position against the Employment Non Discrimination Act by saying that "If you don’t project it, if you don’t advertise it, how would anyone know to discriminate against you?" The entire segment about this can be seen in the video below. Essentially Representative King is saying that gays who "flaunt" it are bringing discrimination upon themselves, and that it's their fault. This philosophy breeds a closeted environment, and one in which only cisgender and "straight acting" individuals are safe at their workplace.



Congressman King has been no stranger to controversial remarks about the LGBT community and others. It was only a year ago that he warned that gay marriage will lead to socialism.

Congressman King can be contacted below:

1131 Longworth Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202.225.4426

E-contact form . Twitter

Four Iowa Democrats Attempt to Force Vote on Marriage Ban

The Iowa House and Senate with a large Democratic majority has succesfully eliminated attempts by conservative members who want to vote on eliminating same-sex marriage. Among those who attempted to force a vote to ban gay marriage are four Democrats who went against their own party! The legislation has failed but came within 3 votes of being passed.

Please contact the four Democrats who attempted to force a vote to ban gay marriage:

Dennis Black of Grinnell
Dennis.Black@legis.state.ia.us

Keith Kreiman of Bloomfield
Keith.Kreiman@legis.state.ia.us

Rich Olive of Story City
rich.olive@legis.state.ia.us

Joe Seng of Davenport
Joe.Seng@legis.state.ia.us

Call the Senate switchboard at 515-281-3371 to speak with these representatives.

Iowa Legislature Votes to Protect Equality

The Iowa legislature acted yesterday to reject an effort to repeal the existing marriage equality law. Opponents of same-sex marriage have attempted to override the Supreme Court's decision by amending the state constitution to make marriage between one man and one woman. Polls show the majority of Iowans consider the issue settled and do not wish to revisit it.

The Iowan flag clearly states: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" and the Democratic leadership has kept this promise. Please thank the legislators who voted to protect equality.

U.S. Senator Tom Harkin Supports Marriage Equality

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin said Friday he no longer holds the same views he held when he voted for the federal Defense of Marriage Act that prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriage nearly 13 years ago.

Harkin described his own evolution on the issue during a taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press," which airs this weekend.

"We all grow as we get older, and we learn things and we become more sensitive to people and people's lives," Harkin said. "And the more I've looked at that, I've grown to think differently about how people - how we should live. And I guess I'm at the point that, you know - I'm to that point of live and let live," Harkin said.

Be sure to contact the senator and thank him for siding with equality.

Crossposted via Pam's Houseblend.

Iowa Stand Up To Oppose the Rants Amendment

Rep. Christopher Rants is pushing for a floor vote in the Iowa House this afternoon that seeks to undermine the Supreme Court's unanimous decision on marriage! Please contact your Representative NOW! Tell them to oppose the Rants' Amendment!

Find your legislators here, then call the Iowa House switchboard at 515-281-3221 and the Iowa Senate switchboard at 515-281-3371 to be patched through to your legislators. Please also email your legislator telling them to oppose the Rants' Amendment!

Fair-Minded Iowan Legislators Stand Strong!

Resisting divisive attempts by the extreme right, the Iowa House blocked movement on a Constitutional amendment that aimed to take away the freedom to marry in Iowa. With your help, our fair-minded legislators stood strong, voting 54-44 to get back to work on issues of common concern to Iowa families!

Please thank ALL 54 fair-minded legislators!

Iowa Reps That Must Be Contacted to Vote Against HJR 6 (The Iowa Marriage Amendment)

Iowa legislators are being bombarded with phone calls and emails from people across the nation supporting HJR 6 (The Iowa Marriage Amendment). To get out of committee the bill needs 51 votes, same-sex marriage opponents currently have 43 on their side.

Marriage equality opponents are banking on the following people to follow suit. Please contact the representatives below and tell them to vote NO on HJR 6, tell them to fight discrimination and to support marriage equality.

Email each rep individually or click here to email all the reps below at once.

Representative Brian Quirk – brian.quirk@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Mike Reasoner – mike.reasoner@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Kurt Swaim – kurt.swaim@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Larry Marek – larry.marek@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Kerry Burt – kerry.burt@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Wayne Ford – wayne.ford@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Nathan Reichert – nathan.reichert@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Paul Shomshor – paul.shomshor@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Phyllis Thede – phyllis.thede@legis.state.ia.us

Iowa Needs Our Support Now!

Right-wing extremists are resorting to underhanded tactics in an attempt to undermine legislative leadership and take away the freedom to marry! While legislative leadership stood firm this morning, extremists are attempting to overthrow the House chair and push an anti-marriage amendment to the floor!

Tell them to stand firm with legislative leadership and oppose this distracting and divisive move. With all the challenges Iowa is facing, it's time for our elected officials to get back to work for Iowa families!

House Switchboard: 515-281-3221

Take action by contacting representatives.

Thank Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal for Supporting Marriage Equality!

The Iowa state senate majority leader Mike Gronstal gave a beautiful speech to show his opposition to a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. His impassioned speech is a clear indicator that he will not allow an anti-gay marriage bill to come to the floor.



Please thank Senator Gronstal for supporting marriage equality and for opposing a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Contact info for Senate Majority leader Mike Gronstal:

Phone: 515-281-3901
Mike.Gronstal@legis.state.ia.us

Governor Culver: Don't Amend the Iowa Constitution!

Governor Chet Culver (D) has been opposed to same-sex marriage and has previously said that he will work with the legislature to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the event the Supreme Court rules in favor of gay marriage.

He has now released the following statement via his website.

"The decision released by the Supreme Court addresses a complicated and emotional issue, one on which Iowans have strong views and opinions on both sides. The next responsible step is to thoroughly review this decision, which I am doing with my legal counsel and the Attorney General, before reacting to what it means for Iowa."

We need all Iowans who support equality to e-mail Governor Culver today and let him know that Iowans support the court’s decision to grant the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and oppose amending the Iowa Constitution.

Please take action by contacting Governor Culver through One Iowa's E-Action Form and pass this on to friends and family.

Rallies Celebrating Iowa Victory Tonight!

Iowans are ready to hit the streets to celebrate the unanimous marriage equality ruling! Below is a list of rally locations in Iowa and one in New York (celebrating both Iowa and Vermont rulings).


Iowa Rallies:

Ames Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
ISU Campus next to the Hub
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Cedar Falls/Waterloo Rally
Friday, April 03, 3:00 PM
Univ. of N. Iowa Maucker Union, Cedar Falls
Contact Kaitlin Corbitz at 319.610.7155

Cedar Rapids Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:00 PM
People’s Church Unitarian Universalist
600 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Contact Andrea Jansa at 319.360.8072

Council Bluffs Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Playland Park
2 North 40th Street, Council Bluffs
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Des Moines Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Western Gateway Park
13th Street between Grand & Locust @ 5:30 pm
Contact the One Iowa Office at 515.288.4019

Decorah Rally
Saturday, April 04, 10:00 AM
Winneshiek County Courthouse
201 W. Main St., Decorah
Contact Amalia Vagts at 563.382.6277

Dubuque Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Q’s
920 Main Street, Dubuque
Contact Tina Sio at 563.564.6316

Iowa City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Univ. of Iowa Pentacrest
On Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue
Contact Matt Fender at 646.752.5932

Mason City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N. Washington Ave, Mason City
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213

Quad Cities Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Davenport Unitarian Church
3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport
Contact Ryan Crane at 402.659.8110

Out of State:

New York City
Day of Decision celebrating Iowa and Vermont victories!
Union Square Park
6:30 PM
thepowerny@gmail.com

IOWA LEGALIZES GAY MARRIAGE!

The Iowa Supreme Court has unanimously voted to support gay marriage, making Iowa the third state in the country and first state in the midwest to have legal gay marriage. Information is hard to access as the site is down because of the number of hits, if it loads the opinion is available at the Iowa Supreme Court Website.



Iowa state law does not require couples who marry within the state to be Iowa residents, so out of state couples will be allowed to receive a marriage license.

Opponents of gay marriage would have to amend the state constitution in order to eliminate this newly given right. If the 2010 legislature endorses the idea, November 2012 would be the earliest that Iowans could vote on any possible constitutional amendment.

Iowa Event: Let My Parents Marry!

Lambda Legal is looking for same-sex couples who want to marry and who are raising children to stand up with other families and be strong voices for marriage equality in Iowa. Coming together as a community of families for marriage equality will be instrumental in winning and keeping marriage equality in our state. If you are interested in learning how you can share your family’s story and joining a network of families for marriage equality, we hope that you will contact us at mfender@lambdalegal.org or 515.288.4019 (ext. 202). Please also consider passing this message along to others you think may be interested.

Let My Parents Marry

Iowa City
When: Wednesday, Feburary 18th @ 6:30pm
Where: Coralville Public Library (1401 5th St in Coralville)

Des Moines
When: Thursday, February 19th @ 6:30pm
Where: Middleton Center for Children’s Rights, Drake Law Clinic (24th & University Ave in Des Moines)

Crosposted via Daily Queer News.