New threat to gay marriage in Iowa

Iowa Republicans were foiled in two bids Thursday to force the state House to take up a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

The moves came as more than 200 protesters demonstrated at the Capitol demanding action to overturn the Iowa State Supreme Court ruling gay and lesbian couples can marry. Many of them later moved into the public gallery in the House

As Republicans tried to force a vote, supporters of the anti gay marriage amendment in the crowd shouted, “Let us vote.” The GOP move was ruled out of order. But later in the day, Republicans attempted to attach the amendment to a money bill. That two was thwarted.
But despite the setback for gay foes, conservatives say there is still a way they can kill the state Supreme Court ruling - through a Constitutional Convention.

Once every decade, Iowa voters can decide whether to hold a convention. The question is scheduled to go on the ballot in November 2010 and needs only a simple majority.

Conservatives believe that if a Constitutional Convention is approved, they can convince delegates to vote for an amendment limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

If voters approve holding a convention, and if enough delegates can be convinced to amend the constitution, the question could be put to voters in a special election, possibly in 2011.

Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that a state law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples was unconstitutional. The court also discounted civil unions as an alternative to marriage.

The Supreme Court decision means that gay and lesbian couples may immediately obtain marriage licenses and be allowed to marry under Iowa law in 21 days.