GOP Lawmaker Who Says His Family ‘Incurs Health Risks’ Because Of Gay People Facing Backlash

Republican state senator from Iowa, Dennis Guth, says his family incurs health risks because of gay people and same-sex marriage. Now, Senator Guth is losing support and facing a backlash,from his fellow colleagues, from the LGBT community and allies, and even losing support from one of the state’s top anti-gay groups. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Iowa since 2009, so the Senator is doing a poor job of representing his constituents.

READ: GOP Lawmaker Says Gay People Are Hazardous To His Family’s Health

As we reported yesterday, Senator Guth told his colleagues:

“The media, for the most part, has bamboozled us into thinking that having a relationship outside of the boundaries of monogamous, heterosexual marriage is positive, happy and fulfilling.”

“Movies, television shows, articles and magazines abound with this theme, giving partial information to vulnerable audience: our children.”

Senator Guth also said there are “numerous” health and mental problems associated with homosexuality that “ultimately” shorten the lives of gays and lesbians.

Guth said “many civilizations have fallen” because the traditional family was not protected and he argued the homosexual lifestyle “is a lie.”

“If I saw someone going the wrong way on a one-way street, I would make every effort to stop and redirect them,” Guth said. “Simply put, it saves lives to have honest communication not only about the sexually transmitted diseases that shorten lifespans, but also about the deep loneliness that accompanies a life based on youth, beauty and sex.”

 

 

Now, Senator Guth, who has refused to respond to repeated calls for comment, tells local Iowa TV station WHO, he was “offended” a fellow Senator called him “ignorant” for his anti-gay comments:

WHO adds:

“I was really not targeting people who have made that lifestyle choice at all. My target is both parents and children so we can make sure that adolescents have information that covers all of the facts and not just part of the story,” said Sen. Guth.

Off the senate floor, the comments continued to spur conversation. Officials with One Iowa said they were shocked and upset with the comments, but they also served as a wakeup call.

“I think we`ve been lulled into a place where we think you know, things are really moving and changing. Which they are, but there are still some people who have not moved and have not changed. I have to wonder where this fear and hatred comes from. One has to wonder who else holds those kinds of feelings and thoughts. We continue to move forward,” said Donna Red Wing from One Iowa.

The family leader declined to do an interview with Channel 13, but in a statement said they support civil discussions about marriage. They did not say whether or not they agreed with Senator Guth’s comments this morning.

It’s shocking that Bob Vander Plaats‘ anti-gay organization, the Family Leader — of which Senator Guth boasts he was a member of the Board of Directors — refuses to address their former Board member’s comments that are in keeping with their own positions.

Will there be further fallout?

Will the good citizens of Iowa re-elect Senator Guth?

You can contact Senator Dennis Guth here, and you can thank Democratic Senator Matt McCoy for defending the LGBT community and truth, here.

Hat tip: Towleroad for video of Senators Guth and McCoy