Federal money fueling fight against gay marriage in Iowa and Prop 8 pops up in California courtroom—again
By Jason Carson Wilson
The Iowa Family Policy Center hopes to eradicate the Hawkeye state’s social progress. It’s dedicated to ending legally recognized gay marriage. The crusade garnered Associated Press scrutiny, revealing federal money helps fuel its campaign.
Iowa Family Policy Center received a $2.2 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant for counseling and education, the AP and Care2.com reported. However, nearly $200,000 covered salaries and utilities, while the organization fought gay marriage in Iowa.
The Iowa Family Policy Center successfully ousted Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus as well as Justices David Baker and Michael Streit during a Nov. 2010 election, according to USA Today. A 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling brought marriage equality to the Midwest.
Proposition 8 returned to a California courtroom today. A federal judge heard arguments about releasing video recordings of the 2010 trial. The ballot measure, passed in November 2008, banned gay marriage in the state. U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker recorded the proceedings for personal use, The Washington Post reported.
Walker, who is gay and has a partner, ruled Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. Opponents claimed his sexual orientation and 10-year relationship clouded his judgment, prompting more legal action.
