54
June 14, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
Gay Marriage Could Stay in Iowa Forever By Jarrett Terrill
T
he Iowa Republican primary election carried an important moral for anyone who was paying attention on Tuesday. The anti-gay group known as the Iowa Family Policy Center ran a candidate in the primary, Bob Vander Plaats, who was slain at the polls. Plaats ran his gubernatorial campaign with promises of removing judges who had supported or were likely to support gay issues. About 60 percent of Iowa Republicans evidently did not think that was a very important issue. The GOP primary-winner was Terry Branstad—who said much less about gay marriage in the state. “Today, Iowa Republicans put their faith in Terry Branstad, and so, too, will a majority of Iowans this November,” said Republican Par-
ty of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn. “Iowans deserve principled leadership from a governor who will spur job growth in the private sector, reign in out-of-control state spending, and demand excellence from Iowa’s educational system. Terry Branstad is just the kind of leader Iowa needs and deserves.” But now Branstad goes on to face incumbent Democrat Chet Culver, who “believes that marriage is between a man and a woman,” but is just relaxed enough to do nothing about it. Culver told the Iowa Register that Iowans “stood firm for the civil rights of every Iowan by saying loudly and clearly that any and all efforts to add discriminatory amendments to our state constitution have no place in our state constitution.” Culver then added: “The overwhelming majority of Iowans do not want to amend our constitution in such as a way that’s discriminatory. I think that’s the bottom line.”
Hard Tops or Convertibles.
Young or old, we service ANY make or model!
LUUUBE SPECIAL!
Oil Change, Lube, Filter Replacement, Tire Rotation, and 60-Point Vehicle Inspection. $28.95 (most cars) A $79 value. Bring This Coupon
• Courtesy shuttle. Use our drop-off and pick-up service. • ASE master technicians specializing in luxury and classic car repair. • Free hand car wash and interior vacuum.
600 W. Broward Blvd
954-467-2234
www.rosensprestige.com (one mile EAST of I95)
Anti-gay groups like the National Organization for Marriage have so far been disinclined to put gay marriage to the voters in Iowa. Part of this is because it’s not as easy to put a voter initiative on the ballot in Iowa as it is in some states.
But also, some speculate that the move would not have the same effect as it did in California and could therefore have a blowback effect—making Iowa the first state to permanently enshrine gay marriage with a majority vote. Nate Silver writes on FiveThirtyEight. com that if Iowa Republicans can’t get a bill on the ballot to ban gay marriage before 2013, any attempts thereafter will “fail” and a majority of voters will actually vote for gay marriage. According to over one-third of Republican primary voters in a poll conducted by the Iowa Register, “some Iowans have overreacted on the issue, and gay marriage in the state is just not that big a deal.”
New Resort Planned for Wilma continued from page 5
Both Darham and Deak welcome the economic impact the resort will have. “The revenue brought into the surrounding businesses will be a welcome relief in this economy,” Darham says. He is most eager to see the increased level of job creation in the community. Not everyone is optimistic about the project. Terry Hochmuth, owner of Villa Venice guesthouse on Fort Lauderdale beach, has a contrarian view. He doesn’t think the current economic landscape will be able to support such a large project. “First off, with the economic climate as it is now, I would find it doubtful that any entity would even venture to commence on a project of this scope,” he says. Although Hochmuth’s guests prefer staying at smaller entities, he say that larger chains are trying to venture into the LGBT market. “Other hotels, such as the W in Fort Lauderdale, are going after the gay dollar.” The results have already effected a few businesses. “During the past couple of months, at least one gay guesthouse has been closed and another one has been purchased by straight interests,” he says.
Roger Handevidt, owner of Orton Terrace and chairman of the Rainbow Alliance, agrees with Hochmuth, but believes the news is positive for the region. “Fort Lauderdale will see an increase in LGBT travel. Hotels as large as G will be spending a lot of money promoting their property and the area in as a whole,” he says. G Worldwide also plans to bring its brand to other markets in the future, including New York, Palm Springs, Las Vegas and San Francisco. The company claims to be the first-ever LGBT luxury-lifestyle resort and brand with a goal of amassing a collection of hotels, resorts, and vacation clubs specifically designed to fulfill the needs and desires of the LGBT traveler. For more information, please visit Gresorts.com.