NAACP Iowa Chapter President Steps Down After National Org. Endorses Marriage Equality

The Iowa/Nebraska state conference president of the NAACP is stepping down after leaders from the national organization announced their support of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Rev. Keith Ratliff of Des Moines, Iowa, announced his own decision on Wednesday, according to the Quad City Times.

"I want to thank the NAACP for the privilege to humbly serve in such an organization and thank all those I had the privilege to work with in the states of Iowa, Nebraska and throughout the country," Ratliff said in the statement.

Ratliff has been an outspoken opponent of marriage equality, and spoke at a rally last year in support of restricting marriage to heterosexual couples. He was also vehemently opposed to the Iowa supreme court's ruling to legalize marriage equality, and lobbied against the court's decision.