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Teen's Impassioned Speech Supporting Gay Marriage in Iowa Goes Viral
Filed under: Gay Parenting, In The News
Advocates for same-sex unions may have found a new spokesperson in Zach Wahls.
The 19-year-old University of Iowa student delivered an eloquent speech supporting gay marriage to the Iowa House of Representatives on Jan. 31 that has quickly gone viral, spreading his message that "Our family really isn't so different from any other Iowa family."
Wahls, who was raised by two women, spoke before the House during a public hearing on a resolution that would make same-sex marriage illegal in Iowa, and would prohibit the state's recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples, the Des Moines Register reports. The ban passed the Iowa House in a 62-37 vote Feb. 1.
"If I was your son, Mr. Chairman, I believe I would make you very proud," Wahls, who says he is an engineering student, Eagle Scout and small business owner, said at the hearing. "I'm not really so different from any of your children. My family really isn't so different from yours. ... The sense of family comes from the commitment we make to each other to work through the hard times so we can enjoy good ones. It comes from the love that binds us. That's what makes a family."
So, what's next? The resolution goes to the Senate, the Register reports, where Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, has promised to block it from a vote.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-03-2011 @ 7:08PM
Alicia said...It breaks my heart that this resolution passed the House. I sincerely hope it's blocked in the Senate. More states should be moving forward, not the few moving back.
That said, Zach Wahls sounds like an incredible man. I'd be proud to be his friend. His speech made me cry. Truly inspirational.
Reply
2-04-2011 @ 2:08PM
Alicia said...Apparently you care enough to hate them, which leads me to believe that you're the one with the problem here.
2-04-2011 @ 8:14PM
Floyd Stearns said...I didn't realize that the House passed it. Talk about moving backward! I firmly believe that someday this will not be an issue and equality will be the norm.
Also, I'm sure we'll be seeing and hearing a lot more from Zach.
Reply