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发帖数: 19713 | 1 Gay advocacy group starts new public relations campaign
January 19, 2012 By Dar Danielson
The gay advocacy group, “One Iowa” is starting a new campaign to try and
sway public opinion in favor of same-sex marriages. Nearly three years after
the Iowa Supreme Court ruling made it legal for same-sex couples to marry
in Iowa, polls still show a majority of Iowans oppose the decision.
A February 2011, Des Moines Register Iowa Poll showed 38% against, 35% in
favor. One Iowa’s executive director, Troy Price, says the poll also showed
30% don’t care one way or the other. He says if the undecided citizens got
to know more gay couples, they would see there’s nothing wrong with same-
sex unions
“Most of the conversations about marriage in this state have been focused
on the political aspects of the debate, they’ve focused on its impact on
the statehouse or on judicial retention or on the presidential caucuses, but
what’s gotten lost in this conversation is what this debate is really all
about, which is about people,” Price says.
The new effort called “Why Marriage Matters” is trying to convince Iowans
that same-sex couples, they would see they’re no different than anyone else
.
“They get up every morning, they make breakfast for their kids, they go to
work, they have dinner at the end of the day, they go to PTA meetings, they
’re active in their churches and communities. They’re regular, everyday
Iowans, who only want their commitment to one another to be recognized by
the community they actively participate in,” Price says.
The public relations effort includes a website and speakers’ bureau to
share the stories of married gays and lesbians. Price says the public
attitude about same-sex marriage is shifting. National polls now indicate 53
% of Americans approve of the unions.
Three of the Iowa Supreme Court judges who voted in favor of the decision
overturning the state ban on gay marriage were voted off the bench in the
retention election following the ruling. Democrat legislators repeatedly
blocked attempts by Republicans last year to bring a constitutional
amendment forward to allow Iowans to vote on the gay marriage issue.
Legislators have said social issues such as gay marriage will not be a focus
of this year’s session. |
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