Antigay bill dies in Iowa

Iowa legislative leaders said Thursday that a bill that would prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children won't make it to the state senate this session. The bill would have prohibited the Iowa Department of Human Services from allowing an openly gay couple to adopt a child or serve as foster parents. The bill has created a firestorm of protest, said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, an Iowa City Democrat. "I'm still getting E-mail today," he said. The bill was considered by the senate human resources committee on February 23 but did not come to a vote after a large group of gay rights supporters showed up to hear the debate. "I don't think it ever had support in this chamber," Bolkcom said. "It's just an exercise, I think, in terrorizing families in this state with what is a crazy idea." Senate majority leader Stewart Iverson confirmed Thursday that the bill will not be reintroduced.