Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa!

[Theben]

We already know you hate gay people, Ben.

[Theben]

You mean I'm not allowed to fire someone for being deaf? Damn, that sucks. Hmm. I guess 'lacks professional attitude' will fit.

I don't see why employers should be required to pay partner benefits for deaf people. If they want to, great, but it shouldn't be required. If an employer wants to give deaf people benefits, then they should be able to go right ahead and do so.

fixed.

[DaShi]

Deaf people now? Is there no low Ben will not sink to?

[chequita guevara]

nope

[Kidlicious]

You mean I'm not allowed to fire someone for being gay? Damn, that sucks. Hmm. I guess 'lacks professional attitude' will fit.

You make your religion so proud.

[chequita guevara]

He is such a hate filled person. I wish there was a God, just so BK could be set to hell.

[Dinner]

Iowa? Do we really want to see two fat mustachioed pig farmers get married?

The girls on the other hand... Who wouldn't want to see some hot girl on girl action?

[Imran Siddiqui]

He is such a hate filled person. I wish there was a God, just so BK could be set to hell.

That actually may be a good reason to believe there is a god.

[chequita guevara]

To be honest, there's nothing a person could do to justify an infinite period of the most horrible torture.

[Zkribbler]

You mean I'm not allowed to fire someone for being gay? Damn, that sucks. Hmm. I guess 'lacks professional attitude' will fit.

I don't see why employers should be required to pay domestic partner benefits. If they want to, great, but it shouldn't be required. If an employer wants to give gay people benefits, then they should be able to go right ahead and do so.

You mis-read. Under U.S. federal law, you can fire people for being gay.

On the other hand, states like California do protect gays from employment discrimination.

The court's role is (or should be) to protect enumerated rights. And yes I know the Iowa Constitution has a equal protection/privileges and immunities clause but a textual reading of that clause would produce ludicrous results and I'm pretty sure the intent behind the clause was not to protect homosexuals.

Again I'm in favor of homosexual rights but in the long run I think it would be better if the legislatures act on the matter instead of the courts.

The purpose of the equal rights provision is to provide equal rights to all (absent a legitimate government purpose).

[flash9286]

The purpose of the equal rights provision is to provide equal rights to all (absent a legitimate government purpose)

So the purpose of a equal rights provision enacted in 1857 was to guarantee homosexuals equal rights, when it was probably against the law to be a homosexual in Iowa in 1857 and sometime thereafter? I seriously doubt it.

[MrFun]

Here is an interesting article from the perspective of another Iowan.

Gay Iowa Senator explains why Iowa marriage won’t be reversed
by whatnextnow
Share this on Twitter - Gay Iowa Senator explains why Iowa marriage won’t be reversed Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 09:49:35 AM PDT
State Senator Matt McCoy of Iowa, the first openly gay member of the Iowa Legislature, explains why the Iowa Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage is unlikely to be reversed.

1) Iowa's history of civil rights leadership

2) Iowans familiarity with and rejection of extreme social conservatism

3) Lengthy process for constitutional amendments

The statement is available as text below and in a five minute YouTube video.

whatnextnow's diary :: :: Hello. I’m Matt McCoy. I represent the south side of Des Moines, Senate District 31 in the Iowa Senate. I’m a lifelong Iowan, an former Eagle Scout, community development director, a father, and the first openly gay member of the Iowa Legislature.

Today is a red letter day for the state of Iowa. All of Iowa’s citizens now have equal protection under the law.

Thousands of Iowans who have worked hard, raised families, and paid taxes will now be afforded the opportunity to marry. Fair minded people throughout our state support equality for all.

I have never been more proud of all the Iowans who have worked continuously for the advancement of human rights for all.

Today we in Iowa are sending a message to all Americans, gay and straight. If you are looking for a great place to live, a place where people treat their neighbors with respect, please consider coming to Iowa to work, to invest and to raise a family.

Unlike the fight in California, I believe that this issue is settled. Iowans will move on to fixing our economy, providing health care to our citizens and making our state a better place to live.

Here’s why I believe Iowa will not go backwards when it comes to civil rights.

One, Iowa has a long history of civil rights leadership.

In 1839, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected slavery in a decision that found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War decided the issue.

In 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated "separate but equal" schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

In 1873, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations, 91 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

In 1869, Iowa became the first state in the union to admit women to the practice of law.

Two, social conservatives have made their case to Iowans and been rejected.

The Iowa Republican Party is one of the most conservative in the country. For example, the Republican winners of the Iowa Presidential Caucuses include Pat Robertson, Pat Buchanan, and Mike Huckleebe.

Here in Iowa, the Republican Party has focused on fringe issues for some time. And Iowans have responded by electing Democrats.

In less than a decade, legislative debate has moved from considering laws banning gay Iowans from adopting children or being foster parents to passage of legislation protecting children from bullying in schools, expanding Iowa’s civil rights protections to include sexual orientation and transgender, a vote AGAINST amending the Constitution to ban gay marriage, and, now, a court decision providing full marriage equality.

Third, the Iowa Constitution can’t be changed quickly. As I said, we’ve already had one vote in the Iowa Senate on amending the constitution to ban gay marriage, and that failed.. That was when Republicans had the majority. Every Democrat voted no and enough Republicans joined us to defeat the idea.

Now Democrats control the Iowa House and Senate, and legislative leaders say the issue won’t come up for vote.

Even if it does, Constitutional Amendments must be approved by two different two-year General Assemblies before they go to the people for a vote.

In short, there is no way a flood of out-of-state money can be used to quickly scare Iowans into going backwards on civil rights.

I believe marriage equality is here to stay. And Iowans will quickly realize that it is no big deal.

Today Iowa is sending a message to young people, both gay and straight. If you are looking for a great place to live, a place where people treat their neighbors with respect, come to Iowa to work, to invest and to raise a family.

I’m so proud to be an Iowan today. Thanks for celebrating with us. And whether you’re gay or straight, think about coming to Iowa to get married.

GAy Iowa Senator's Perspective

[Ben Kenobi]

Theben:

What makes you don't think I'm unfamiliar with discrimination because I am disabled? That's why I think the claims of discrimination against gay people are bull****.

The only way an employer knows you like men is if you make it an issue at the workplace. I would love to have that choice.

[Theben]

Deafness is a choice, Ben.

[MrFun]

The only way an employer knows you like men is if you make it an issue at the workplace. I would love to have that choice.

The only reason why gay people who are out are an issue is because homophobes make it an issue. I look forward to the day when gay people who are out are as big of a deal as straight people who reveal their sexual orientation in conversations with others.