Gronstal: No same-sex marriage debate

[t0dd]

What a great person.. :-)

From The Iowa Independent

http://iowaindependent.com/13660/gronstal-no-same-sex-marriage-debate

There will be no debate in the Iowa Senate this session on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Monday.

Gronstal, who lauded the Supreme Court decision handed down Friday overturning the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, was asked by Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, if he would join with Republicans in crafting a bill to move an amendment forward.

“Eleven years ago, you voted in favor of protecting marriage as between one man and one woman,” McKinley said. “Will you pledge to work with me and craft a leadership bill on this important issue and bring it to the floor a vote by this body?”

In response, Gronstal shared a story about his daughter, Kate, telling a group of conservative men that opponents of same-sex marriage “have already lost” and that the younger generation doesn’t care.

“I learned something from my daughter that day. That’s what I see, Sen. McKinley,” Gronstal said. “I see a bunch of people that merely want to profess their love for each other and want state law to recognize that. Is that so wrong? I don’t think that’s so wrong.”

He has learned a lot since he voted in favor of Iowa’s Defense of Marriage Act in 1998, Gronstal said, and he will not join in the crafting of a marriage amendment.

“Friday I hugged my wife. I felt like our love was just a little more meaningful last Friday night, because thousands of other Iowa citizens could hug each other and have the state recognize their love for each other,” he said.

...

[TheWraith]

1. His daughter is right.

Whether it's sooner or later, it's only a matter of time.

[NorthCarolina]

2. Congratulations Iowa, I have to admit

y'all have impressed the hell out of me this past year.:applause:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. K&R

This is great news. Seems like the young taught the old and the old listened this time.

[cali]

4. nice, nice story

people can learn. well, maybe not republicans.

[Maven]

5. Great story.

Makes me hopeful, especially since the bigots are already trying to put pressure, including an effort to get the court decision stayed for 3 years until the public can vote on an amendment. :eyes:

K/R

[tbyg52]

6. Wow. I'd like to hug *him*! nt

[LeftHander]

7. *sniff*....I am a little verklempt...

What a great slam to republican regressionists... "You have already lost and the younger generation doesn't care."

Irrelevant Republicans continue to think that some magic window will open up and all gay people will simply go away.

[Athelwulf]

8. Gronstal is obviously intelligent, and has balls.

Why can't more politicians be more like him and the house speaker? I would love for him to have a more prominent position. I want a Democrat who won't fold under pressure or chase the center.