News (USA)

National Org for Marriage targets Iowa for gay marriage ban

NOMThe National Organization for Marriage, which was active in getting Proposition 8 approved by voters in California, launched a campaign Monday to re-ban gay marriage in Iowa.

The NOM is appealing for donations to run advertisements on behalf of political candidates who oppose same-sex marriage, and is throwing much of its support behind Republican Stephen Burgmeier’s challeng for the state House in District 90. He is up for election in less than two weeks.

Burgmeier opposes gay marriage, and earlier this year called for resolution to forbid Jefferson County Officials from issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples soon after the Iowa Supreme Court’s issued its opinion upholding a lower court’s decision that granted marriage equality in that state.

BurgmeierIn a report filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, the NOM acknowledged it already purchased $86,000 in television and radio ads supporting Burgmeier (pictured, right).

One Iowa executive director Carolyn Jenison issued a statement Monday critical of NOM’s efforts in Iowa.

“The Mormon Church and NOM have invested millions of dollars to spread lies and fear in California and now they have their sights set on rural Iowa,” Jenison said. “This raises the question: Has Burgmeier been bought and paid for by out of state religious extremists? If not, he should reject this divisive ad.”

“NOM has a history of funneling money from the Mormon Church into anti-gay measures, while refusing to disclose the source of their funds. NOM should release the list of those contributing to the ads airing in Iowa, ” she added.

Earlier this month, Burgmeier received the endorsement of Everyday America, another anti-gay organization seeking to overturn gay marriage in Iowa.

In April, Iowa became the third state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage after the state Supreme Court ruled that a law defining marriage as only between men and women was unconstitutional.

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