Did you realize that Governor Chet Culver declared November 20, 2009 – Transgender Day of Remembrance in Iowa? Neither did I, but yet the Culver administration wanted to take a day to celebrate and remember transgenders. He was so proud of this proclamation that it wasn’t listed on his website as of 12/31/09. Iowa Family Policy Center ACTION heard of it only via a One Iowa email that was forwarded to them. They did obtain a copy of this “historic” proclamation through a FOIA request.
The proclamation reads:
Whereas, the State of Iowa has a long-standing tradition of upholding the dignity of the individual, supporting legal equality and fair treatment for all citizens, and ensuring that acts of neglect and violence toward any segment of the population will not be tolerated; and
Whereas, The Culver/Judge Adminstration is committed to building One Iowa, with an unlimited future for everyone, and that work involves every Iowan, regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity; and
Whereas, Iowa is committed to promoting an environment of inclusiveness in which Iowans of diverse backgrounds may thrive in safe communities and workplaces; and
Whereas, building Iowa’s future requires the talents and skills of all Iowans, and the diversity of Iowa’s citizens, including transgender people, contributes to our state’s rich culture and prosperity; and
Whereas, Transgender Day of Remembrance honors those who have died by homicide, or suicide, by the hand of ignorance and prejudice, while attempting to pursue the American dream and equality:
Now, therefore I, Chester J. Culver, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim November 20, 2009, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in Iowa, and urge all Iowans to work toward eliminating discrimination on all levels and to promote tolerance.
How special… Governor Culver couldn’t be counted on to back up his promise to protect traditional marriage, but yet here he signs a proclamation that celebrates confusion and sexual deviancy. I’m sorry, gender identity? Let me be straightforward here, this is really easy. If you have a penis – you are a boy. If you have a vagina – you are a girl. There is no such thing as “gender identity,” you don’t get to choose. If you are confused it is something that requires counseling, not a special day of remembrance proclamation from the Governor’s office.
The Iowa Code already gives special protections for sexual orientation and “gender identity” and now according to the Culver administration we need to celebrate it and “tolerate it” (i.e. – accept it as equally valid and right). Thanks to the new civil rights that are allowed for transgendered people passed by the Democrats in the Iowa General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Culver; our rights are in jeopardy. Take for instance your right to privacy in a public restroom, and your right not to hire a man who dresses up in women’s clothing because you deem that to be unprofessional and harmful to business.
Iowa Family Policy Center ACTION pointed out today in a press release that Governor Culver made a point of reaching out to people of faith. He doesn’t share Iowa’s values.
While no one should be ever have to fear for their lives as a result of choices like these. It isn’t something that should be celebrated either, and certainly not by our Governor’s office.