IA Supreme Court

Dear Governor Culver,

I am writing with concern to Friday's Supreme Court ruling in Varnum v. Brien. My concern is not over the opinion of the Court, which I celebrate as a victory for equal rights, equal protection, and religious freedom. My concern is over some state legislators' attempts to amend our state constitution to circumvent this historic ruling. I urge you and your fellow Democrats to vehemently oppose any such amendment.

As a single, heterosexual individual, I stand with my gay and lesbian friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens who have been traditionally denied access to the legal privileges that the institution of marriage provides to heterosexual couples within our state. As a Christian, I also stand with my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, recognizing my moral duty to protect the oppressed and work for justice. I believe wholeheartedly that committed relationships based on love and respect and between any two people are earthly manifestations of the spiritual love that God provides for all of humanity. There is nothing more pleasing to God then when humans interact with one another in loving ways and there is nothing that reinforces the institution of marriage more than two people, any two people, who are willing to take seriously a lifelong commitment to one another.

While religious persons certainly have deeply held theological and moral beliefs on all sides of this issue, it is not our state's duty to amend our Constitution in such a way that would establish a definition of marriage based upon some religious interpretations. Our state's principle duty is to protect the rights of its citizens and, above all, to prevent state infringement upon those rights. The Supreme Court has recognized the injustices that gay and lesbian couples have endured at the hands of the state and has determined that now is finally the time for marriage equality.

Please consider my voice and the voices of those like me as you address this issue with the legislature and know that religious conservatives do not speak for all people of faith. Any constitutional amendment should be opposed. This is an issue that I will be following closely and that will certainly be on my mind as I vote in 2010.