Culver Praises Dem Stand for Marriage Equity

Gov. Chet Culver commended Democratic legislative leaders today for blocking efforts to put a gay marriage ban in the state constitution.

The Gazette, DMR and Radio Iowa have coverage. The Register calls it his "strongest public statements to date."

From The Gazette:

“We stood firm for the civil rights of every Iowan by saying loudly and clearly that any and all efforts to add discriminatory amendments to our state constitution have no place in our state constitution,” Culver said in assessing the 2010 legislative work product.

Culver said he personally believe marriage should be between a man and a woman and there has been no change in that position since the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously decided on April 3, 2009, to strike down a state marriage law – paving the way for civil marriages between two people of the same gender.

“Regardless of our personal views, we have a line that needs to be drawn between the executive branch and the judicial branch and I think Iowans are ready to move on and accept that unanimous decision,” he told reporters.

“I think the overwhelming majority of Iowans do not want to amend our constitution in such a way that's discriminatory. I think that's the bottom line,” Culver added. “I think Iowans want to move forward and the Supreme Court has spoken loudly and clearly and I think it's time to move on.”

It's taken Culver quite a while to get his footing in this issue. Contrast his fairly strong, direct remarks today with the cautious, weaving statement he issued on April 7, 2009, a full four days after the Supreme Court ruled in Varnum v. Brien.

“I have carefully reviewed the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous decision on civil marriage and discussed it with the Attorney General.

“Let me begin by saying that I recognize that the issue of same-gender civil marriage is one that evokes strongly held beliefs and strong emotions both for and against. These beliefs and feelings need to be respected. I hope that the views of those on all sides will be treated respectfully and will not be subjected to name-calling or fear-mongering, but instead will lead to rational discussion.

“At the outset, I want to emphasize that the question before the Iowa Supreme Court was one of civil marriage only – a state-recognized legal status constituting a civil contract. Civil marriage always has been, and will continue to be, separate from religious marriage that takes place in churches and places of worship.

“As I have stated before, I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is a tenet of my personal faith. The Iowa Supreme Court's decision has, in fact, reaffirmed that churches across Iowa will continue to have the right to recognize the sanctity of religious marriage in accordance with their own traditions and church doctrines. The Supreme Court's decision does not require that churches recognize marriages between persons of the same gender or officiate over such unions. The Court does not have, nor should any court ever have, that kind of power over our religious lives. Our churches and places of worship are free to decide for themselves, as they were before, who may enter the sacred covenant of marriage. As the Supreme Court's decision states, ‘The sanctity of all religious marriages celebrated in the future will have the same meaning as those celebrated in the past.'

“Yet, the Supreme Court of Iowa, in a unanimous decision, has clearly stated that the Constitution of our state, which guarantees equal protection of the law to all Iowans, requires the State of Iowa to recognize the civil marriage contract of two people of the same gender. The Court also concluded that the denial of this right constitutes discrimination. Therefore, after careful consideration and a thorough reading of the Court's decision, I am reluctant to support amending the Iowa Constitution to add a provision that our Supreme Court has said is unlawful and discriminatory.

“As Governor, I must respect the authority of the Iowa Supreme Court, and have a duty to uphold the Constitution of the State of Iowa. I also fully respect the right of all Iowans to live under the full protection of Iowa's Constitution.

“I urge Iowans who hold beliefs on all sides of this issue to exhibit respect and good will. Our state faces many serious challenges. We are in the midst of a serious economic recession. Tens of thousands of our fellow Iowans are without work. We have suffered the worst natural disasters and most difficult recovery our state has ever faced. We must join together and redouble our efforts to work toward solutions that will help Iowans in this time of uncertainty. That is where, I believe, my focus and energies should lie.

“Let us not lose sight of the fact that we are all Iowans, all neighbors, united in the promise and faith of a brighter future for our state. Let us all work together toward that common goal.”

His critics will continue to pound the fact that he's trying to have it both ways, by being personally opposed to same-sex unions and yet also against a ban. I personally disagree with his "personal" view, and wonder why he continues to clutch it like some sort of political security blanket.

But those critics should also take note of the fact that some political leaders don't feel the need to enshrine their personal discomforts in the laws or constitution of our state.  There is a difference between your personal views and the responsibilities of governing a whole state.

So even while clutching his blanket, Culver is showing some grown-up leadership. Better late than never. Contrast that with the guys gunning for him, who would meddle with the constitution, tinker with the courts and throw around  illegal executive orders just to get their way.