Below is the text of Senator Gronstal's response to Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton on April 6, 2009, the first day the Senate met after the unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to allow same sex couples to marry.
Here's the transcript.
One of my daughters was in the workplace one day, and her particular workplace at that moment in time, there were a whole bunch of conservative, older men. And those guys were talking about gay marriage. They were talking about discussions going on across the country.We need more brave legislators like this one. Thank you and good night.
Any my daughter Kate, after listening for about 20 minutes, said to them: You guys don't understand. You've already lost. My generation doesnt care.
I think I learned something from my daughter that day, when she said that. And Ive talked with other people about it and that's what I see, Senator McKinley. 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 dont think thats so wrong. As a matter of fact, last Friday night, I hugged my wife. You know Ive been married for 37 years. 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.
No, Senator McKinley, I will not co-sponsor a leadership bill with you.
That's all I've got. Tired beyond belief.
And so it goes.
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hohoho
ReplyDeleteyou are the 3rd blog tonight i have read that posted this. blogging is great - to get words out.
This was a marvelous speech. I particularly liked the way he ended it - not just because it was the sentiment that I wanted to hear, but he said it clearly distinctly and without equivocation. Indeed we need more like Mr. Gronstal.
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