2018 IA Governor's race: on Civil Rights

Fred Hubbell: Proud of Iowa's equal protection for same-sex couples

Reynolds also said that a vote of the people on the issue would stop "this back and forth" debate over the matter. She did not say when or how that vote should take place.

Reynolds' press secretary clarified the governor's comments after the news conference, saying: "The governor believes that this issue is settled."

Fred Hubbell, Iowa's Democratic nominee for governor, supports same-sex marriage. "Fred is proud that Iowa's Supreme Court led the way in defining equal protection, affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court," said a Hubbell aide.

Kim Reynolds: Same-sex marriage issue is now settled law

1. "We believe that traditional two parent (one male and one female), marriage-based families are the foundation to a stable, enduring, and healthy civilization. Therefore, public policy must always be pro-family in nature, encouraging marital and family commitment, and support of the parental rights and responsibilities."
2. "We encourage the repeal of any laws allowing marriage that is not between one natural man and one natural woman."

Republican Party: Define marriage as one natural man and one natural woman

1,800 delegates to the Republican Party of Iowa's state convention are preparing to meet in Des Moines. The convention's proposed platform includes two planks in opposition to same-sex marriage.

1. "We believe that traditional two parent (one male and one female), marriage-based families are the foundation to a stable, enduring, and healthy civilization. Therefore, public policy must always be pro-family in nature, encouraging marital and family commitment, and support of the parental rights and responsibilities."
2. "We encourage the repeal of any laws allowing marriage that is not between one natural man and one natural woman."

Jake Porter: Strongly supports same-sex marriage

A: Strongly support

Marco Battaglia: Strongly supports same-sex marriage

Andy McGuire: Conversion therapy is torture, not treatment

As governor, I will also fight to end conversion therapy, a heinous and despicable practice that has no place anywhere in society. It's torture, not treatment. You cannot "pray the gay away". Being LGBTQ+ is not a disease. We cannot, and we should not seek to "treat" or "cure" it. Iowa can be a leader in the LGBTQ+ community, once again, by joining nine other states that have banned this dangerous and misguided draconian practice.

Nate Boulton: Defended LGBTQ nonprofit Iowa Safe Schools

Nate has consistently fought to protect Iowans' civil rights. When Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ nonprofit advocacy group was attacked by legislators at the Capitol, Nate volunteered legal services and stood up to defend the organization as an attorney. As Governor, Nate would fight to ban conversion therapy and work to ensure that every child, no matter their sexual orientation, can go to school free from harassment and bullying.

Iowans should be proud of our state's legacy of advancing civil rights, and we should honor that legacy by continuing to advance the rights of all Iowans.

Kim Reynolds: Voters should decide gay marriage, not the courts

"I believe that the definition of marriage is between one man and one woman from a religious aspect," Reynolds said. "That is my belief. I have stated that. I always have believed that."

That considered, Reynolds said she would be open to the idea of civil unions for gay couples. "We could take a look at civil unions," Reynolds said. "There are other options maybe that I would be in favor of looking at." She added, "They can do civil unions. I think they can get to some of the same place that they want to look at."