Statement on Support of IA Platform
(Tuesday, September 04, 2007)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement in response to remarks made by Iowa Governor Chet Culver (D):
"National Stonewall Democrats strongly supports the platform of the Iowa Democratic Party, which clearly states that Democrats recognize the freedom of all Iowans to marry. We are concerned that recent statements by Governor Culver appear to be backing away from Iowa Democratic platform on which he was elected to office.
We call on Governor Culver to affirm the freedoms laid out by the Iowa Constitution and the platform of the Iowa Democratic Party which were articulated in the Polk County District Court decision. We are eager to continue to work with Governor Culver, Iowa Democrats, presidential candidates and caucus voters to communicate the importance of this ruling in strengthening families across Iowa."
- Stephen Driscoll and Laurie McBride, Co-Chairs, National Stonewall Democrats.
On Thursday, the Polk County District Court ruled that the state constitution allows same-sex couples in Iowa the freedom to marry. The ruling was eventually stayed, pending appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D), in response to the court decision, said: “"Today's civil-rights ruling by Judge Robert Hanson is another step in what is expected to be a lengthy legal process. The prudent approach would be for the Legislature to await an expected appeal and subsequent ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court before taking any steps in reaction to this decision."
The Platform of the Iowa Democratic Party supports the freedom of all Iowans to legally marry. In a priority plank, the party platform states that the Iowa Democratic Party supports “equal marital rights for all consenting adults regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” The plank was first adopted in 2004 and reaffirmed in 2006. The state Democratic party platforms of Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington State support marriage recognition for same sex couples while the platforms of the Democratic parties of Nebraska, Oklahoma and Vermont mention support for civil unions.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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