Iowa

A 19-year-old’s testimony before Iowa state lawmakers this week that being raised by lesbian parents had “zero effect” on his character has gotten nearly a million hits on YouTube.

In the video-taped testimony of Zach Wahls, he argued in support of same-sex marriage in Iowa, saying the "sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character.” Wahls also described his home life as “normal.”

"I'm not really so different from any of your children," Wahls told Iowa legislators. "My family really isn't so different from yours." more >>

Efforts to define marriage in the Iowa state constitution failed Thursday after one of the bill’s sponsors challenged the authority of the Senate Majority Leader.

A Thursday morning motion by Republican Sen. Kent Sorenson to allow a vote on a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage was defeated 26-24 along party lines. Sorenson attempted to call up the resolution even though doing so would mean breaking state Senate rules.

Democrats registered their frustration in the vote. The vote was split down partisan lines with Republicans voting for the motion and Democrats against it. more >>

The legislative push to ban same-sex marriage in Iowa began Monday.

The House Judiciary Committee passed a proposal, 13-8, that would amend the state constitution to say: "Marriage between one man and one woman shall be the only legal union valid or recognized in this state."

Nearly two years ago, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act that had limited marriage to one man and one woman was unconstitutional. The ruling opened the door to make the Hawkeye State the third in the nation to allow same-sex marriage. more >>

Iowa medical regulators disappointed pro-life advocates by ruling not to sanction a doctor for remotely prescribing abortion pills to patients in rural areas.

The state Board of Medicine decided not to sanction Planned Parenthood doctor Susan Haskell for prescribing abortion-inducing drugs to patients in rural areas. The decision was especially disheartening for pro-life organization Operation Rescue. The group had filed the complaint to the board.

“This decision has done nothing to alleviate our concerns about the legality of this push-button abortion pill scheme that denies women access to physical examinations by licensed physicians and leaves them to deal with the painful multi-day abortion process at home without access to a licensed physician in the event of emergencies,” said Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger. more >>

An evangelical political action group has invited likely Republican presidential candidates for a talk on pro-family values in the first announced caucus forum.

The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition announced this week plans for a March 7 presidential debate. Formerly known as the Iowa Christian Alliance, the group intends to send prospective candidates the message that Iowan Christians are an important constituency.

“Candidates considering a run for president must take the Iowa Caucuses seriously and we are the caucus voters,” IFFC President Steve Scheffler declared in a statement. more >>

Conservative voters and family groups were able to secure a victory Tuesday with the removal of three State Supreme Court justices who legalized gay marriage.

Iowa Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices David Baker and Michael Streit were up for a retention vote and needed more "yes" votes than "no" votes. More Iowans chose to unseat them from the judicial bench.

The decision was made after months of rallying and mobilizing by such groups as Iowa For Freedom, the Iowa Family Policy Center, and the National Organization for Marriage – all of whom were unhappy with the court's vote in April 2009 to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. The 1998 act defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. more >>