Letter to Governor Culver

December 1, 2007

World AIDS Day – Take the Lead!

Dear Governor Culver:

I am a new citizen of Iowa, a registered Democrat, and currently a graduate student at the University of Iowa. Part of my desire to attend the University of Iowa, and pleasure in being accepted here, is that Iowa seems to have a much broader range of opinions than my previous state of Nebraska does. I was very happy to see the Governor of Iowa actually supported an annual workshop on LGBT youth in the state. I was also aware, being a frequent visitor to the Lambda Legal (an LGBT/HIV+ public interest law firm) website (http://www.lambdalegal.org/) that some same-sex Iowa couples were suing the state, for the equal right to marry. As someone working in the field of HIV prevention in Nebraska, I felt marriage equality was something that might actually help prevent HIV infections.

In the year 2000, outside organizations helped sponsor a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the State of Nebraska. While I didn’t agree with a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, I also didn’t fully realize just how important this issue was, and continues to be, for the Gay and Lesbian communities. As the state coordinator for HIV prevention education, though, I soon recognized what an important statement this was making in Nebraska. At the same time that many people in power, along with many residents of the state, were bemoaning the “promiscuity” of gay men and asking, in regards to HIV prevention, “why don’t these gay guys get it?” they also wanted to deny them the power and ability to commit to one person and the rights and privileges that come with marriage. And they wanted it enshrined in the Constitution of the state no less, a state that carries the motto “All Equal before the Law.” I was appalled when, after that heavy outside funding, the constitutional amendment was passed by more than 70% of those voting. I was also strengthened in my resolve to leave the state – I don’t believe in running from standing up for what I believe, but Nebraska seemed then (and still seems today) to be a lost cause for the foreseeable future, at least in the fight for marriage equality.

Shortly after my arrival in Iowa City, the court case of Varnum v Brien was decided, in the Gay and Lesbian couples’ favor, with an almost immediate stay pending appeals to the Iowa Supreme Court. Speaking for myself, having both legal experience and HIV prevention experience, I think it’s vital to recognize and, for want of a better term, “normalize” gay and lesbian relationships. The time to stigmatize these individuals needs to be placed behind us. I feel societal respect, and equality, would go a very long way to giving our gay youth, and elders as well, a stronger sense of self-respect, that hopefully will result in better health outcomes.

The judge in the case seems to feel the same way. In fact, both parties in the case seem to feel the same way with over 100 issues declared to not be in dispute including this one, (#34) “As a result of their exclusion from the civil institution of marriage, Plaintiffs, their relationships and their families are stigmatized and made more vulnerable in comparison to heterosexuals. Through the marriage exclusion the State devalues and delegitimizes relationships at the very core of the adult Plaintiffs’ sexual orientation and expresses, compounds, and perpetuates the stigma historically attached to homosexuality, for them and all gay persons.”

This marriage equality movement is not attempting to force any religious organization to endorse, or even allow, same-sex marriages in their religious organizations. What is being asked for is equality in making a contract of marriage. Not allowing for marriage equality is giving the stamp of approval for continuing to ostracize the Gay and Lesbian community.

Governor, I am hopeful you will be able to see the benefits to the health and well-being of the Gay and Lesbian citizens of Iowa of supporting marriage equality. It is the logical next step, and the best step, to ensure Iowa remains at the forefront of equal rights for all its citizens. Iowa’s state motto is: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Governor, please exercise your power as the leader of this state to stand up for the right of marriage equality. The motto of the 2007 World AIDS Campaign (http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/) is “Take the Lead.” Please feel free to do so.

Sincerely yours,

Buddy Housman
UI Graduate Student