\'\'
Home   >   News   >   Regional News   >   Iowa Senator Introduces Long-Shot Gay Marriage Ban

Iowa Senator Introduces Long-Shot Gay Marriage Ban

By on February 27, 2013

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Republican senator has introduced legislation that would begin the process of referring a constitutional ban on gay marriage to Iowa voters.

A 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalized gay marriage in the state. Sen. Dennis Guth says Tuesday that voters should get to decide whether gay marriage is permitted in the state. His resolution has a total of 18 sponsors in the Senate.

The measure would need to be approved by the current legislative assembly and then one elected in 2014 before it could go to voters.

The effort has little chance of advancing since Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has repeatedly blocked debate on such proposals.

Nine states and Washington have legalized gay marriage.