Chances Slim for Iowa Antimarriage Measure

While some conservative Iowans, like the Iowa Family Policy Council's Chuck Hurley (pictured), would like to amend the state's constitution to nullify last year's supreme court ruling in favor of marriage equality, the consensus is there's little chance of that any time soon.

In Iowa, constitutional amendments have to be approved by legislators before they can go before voters, and even conservative Republicans realize the state's Democratic-controlled legislature won't let the antimarriage measure come to a vote this year.

"There's just no chance at all," former Republican state senator Jeff Angelo told The Iowa Independent. "Democratic leaders have really put themselves out there and said they are not going to allow a vote, so it won't happen. I think Republicans know that."

Des Moines Republican strategist and blogger Kevin Hall said the only way to get such a measure passed by the legislature is to vote in a Republican majority. Republican leaders have promised to make same-sex marriage a key issue in this year's legislative races, but voters seem to be more interested in the economy, he said.

Meanwhile, supporters and opponents of marriage equality will hold dueling rallies as the legislature begins its session this month. Supporters will rally Sunday, the day before the session opens, while opponents will gather the following Tuesday, January 12.

The Iowa Family Policy Council, which is pushing for the constitutional amendment, has criticized Gov. Chet Culver for his support of gay rights and for his proclamation of a Transgender Day of Remembrance in November. The council had to file a Freedom of Information Act to find out about the proclamation, its president, Chuck Hurley, told the Chicago Tribune, while a spokesman for the governor said proclamations generally aren't publicized widely.

"Iowans know that Governor Culver does not share their values," Hurley said. "As if the governor's unwillingness to exercise the influence of his office in the defense of marriage wasn't enough, we now know that he is spending his time creating special days celebrating sexual disorientation."