Early this month, the Iowa Legislature heard testimony from 19 year-old Zach Wahls as it considered amending the Iowa Constitution to reflect the discriminatory views of an ever-shrinking percentage of the public by limiting the legal definition of marriage to a union between one man and one woman. Zach eloquently delivered his message as a student at the University of Iowa, an owner of a small business, and a successful son of two proud and loving mothers. In his brief address, Zach touched upon some of his most deeply-seated beliefs and most influential experiences that portray a compelling picture of everyday life in a family headed by a same-sex couple – a picture that would appear very familiar to families everywhere in almost every aspect. Zach and his family do have an alternative story, however. Due to statutory prohibitions on the freedom to marry, same-sex couples and families have long been denied the rights that many take for granted and could not imagine living without. Unfortunately, Iowa does not stand alone in its push for a Definition of Marriage Amendment (DOMA) – New Mexico is currently considering not one, but three separate DOMA bills in the 2011 Legislative Session (HJR 7 and SJR 4, which define marriage and HJR 8 that prohibits legal recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages).
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q
By amending the New Mexico Constitution to limit marriage to opposit
By ACLU-NM