DES MOINES – One Iowa, Iowa’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization, responded to a conservative group’s rally held at the state historical building in Des Moines on Tuesday.
The conservative rally was held by the Family Leader, a right-wing Christian group. The goal of the rally, the group said, was to “pray with our legislators, build them up and encourage them, share the Gospel with them, educate them on pro-family policy, and encourage them to support those policies… to further Christ’s kingdom. We want to do more than just convince a few legislators to support a particular bill. We want to minister to them. We want to build up their faith and win them to Christ.”
One Iowa had the following response to the rally:
“Iowa has enjoyed marriage equality for nearly 5 years. While the laws have changed, we recognize that it will take a little longer for the culture to change. Unfortunately, the Family Leader continues to use the LGBT community and our families as a divisive political wedge. I suggest we find a way to work together to find common ground and create the space to have civil dialogue around issues important to us.
“While One Iowa recognizes and respects the religious beliefs of all Iowans, it is imperative to separate our appreciation for those beliefs from the Iowa Civil Rights Code. The law states clearly that all public venues and businesses must accommodate individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“We hope that the Family Leader and its supporters will recognize that our families are really not that different from their own. We pay our taxes, we take care of our loved ones, we go to worship, and we are contributing members of society. Instead of the hostile posturing that we have seen on both sides of the issue of equality–especially marriage equality–we should broaden our conversations through ongoing civil dialogue about what’s important to all Iowans, and what we can do together to make this great state an even greater one. Will we continue to disagree? Yes. But let us do so from a perspective that respects both religious and individual freedom. As we move into the New Year, and into a fresh political landscape, we extend an invitation to our friends and to our opponents to meet and engage in honest, respectful dialogue.”
Reportedly, at the rally, politician Bob Vander Plaats claimed that “God instituted government” and that his organization only wants to strengthen the family.
