Most Iowans Are Pro-Equality

As I always suspected, the majority of Iowans are clearheaded when it comes to equality.

According to a new poll, the majority of Iowans stand opposed to passing a state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, by a margin of 56% to 36%.

This is up slightly from a February 2011 poll, when equality won out by a margin of 54% to 40%.

Twenty-six-year old Ben Tuttleputs it simply: “Equality for all.” But Lou O’Brien, 50, disagrees, "I believe in the original family unit. That is the way I was brought up.”

On the surface it seems that age makes a difference, but, according to the new poll, support for that constitutional ban fails to reach a majority in any age group. It is, however, strictly divided along party lines, with 64% of Republicans in favor of keeping LGBT citizens as second class citizens.

It was back in Ott-Nine that the Iowa state Supreme Court unanimously ruled same-sex marriage was legal, but in November 2010, voters removed from office three of those pro-equality justices who were on the ballot. The issue has faded this legislative session with the proposed amendment remaining roadblocked in the Senate.

The amendment was approved in the Republican-controlled Iowa House last year, but Democratic leader Michael Gronstal blocked it from consideration in the Senate.

So, while it's being debated here and there, proposed and blocked here and there, the facts remain quite clear. Most Iowans are not at all bothered by the idea of gay couples marrying. 

As Democratic Senator, Matt McCoy, the Legislature’s only openly gay member, says, “I think most Iowans recognize that this issue has very little to do with them and their lives, and it certainly doesn’t impact their marriages or the way they live their lives. It is really more about allowing people to be able to commit to people they love.”

Word.

Except for, way to go Iowans.

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