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During Terry Branstad’s tenure as president of Des Moines University (DMU), the school was “at the forefront of recognizing and respecting” the LGBT community. But since becoming a Republican candidate for governor, Branstad appears to have reversed course, according to Carolyn Jenison, executive director of One Iowa.
Terry Branstad (photo by Dave Davidson, TEApublican.com)
In a letter delivered to the Branstad campaign Wednesday afternoon, Jenison asked the Republican to clarify his position on LGBT equality in light of his previous record of “inclusive policies and programs” at Des Moines University.
“Although you have repeatedly stated your opposition to marriage equality and support a constitutional amendment to strip LGBT Iowans of their rights, I am hoping to remind you of your progressive leadership at DMU,” Jenison wrote. “Put next to the progressive policies you heralded at DMU, your current position on equal rights is difficult to understand. Please clarify your position and the role you played in the positive, inclusive policies and programs at Des Moines University.”
Branstad served as president of DMU from August 2003 until he stepped down to run for governor last October.
Jenison points to a February 2009 newsletter published by DMU’s Diversity Services Department that promotes a joint DMU/One Iowa lobby day at the Iowa Capitol. The event was held only two months before the historic Varnum v. Brien decision by the Iowa Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage. The purpose, Jenison said, was to “lobby legislators for marriage equality.”
The newsletter also advertises an appearance on campus by Dr. Christine McGinn, a transgender physician who was born biologically male, went to medical school and served as a NASA flight surgeon for 9 years as a male. She had her sex reassignment surgery in 2000 and now is a practicing plastic surgeon in Philadelphia.
“Dr. McGinn’s lecture was a perfect opportunity for DMU students to learn about how gender identity issues could affect their prospective patients,” Jenison wrote.
Branstad’s position on LGBT issues and same-sex marriage has received its fair share of scrutiny since he first re-entered politics last year, and the former governor has managed to take heat from both supporters and opponents of marriage equality.
During an interview with The Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Todd Dorman, Branstad appeared all over the place on the issue of same-sex marriage, at one point coming close to endorsing civil unions and gay adoption, saying he has no problem with “with people that want to live together and raise a child and things like that.”
The interview drew so much attention that Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht had to clarify his boss’ position to The Des Moines Register, saying “the governor does not believe in state-sanctioned civil unions, but if an entity wishes to do so on their own accord, they have that right.” And as for gay adoption, Branstad wants to ensure every child has only the “very best, safe, reliable and nurturing environment that society can provide. The governor believes that only in very rare circumstances could this standard be met by same-sex adoption.”
Branstad also continues to catch flak from social conservatives for for choosing Joy Corning — who supports same-sex marriage — as a running mate in 1990 and 1994.
But in the same Cedar Rapids Gazette interview, Branstad referred to gay marriage as the “beginning of the end” of society and said same-sex couples raising children could lead to higher instances of “juvenile delinquency, teenage pregnancy, just about any factor, drug abuse whatever” than “what we call normal home situation.” Branstad’s answer was immediately mocked by political gossip columnist Civic Skinny, who said “the former governor simply can’t deal with the issue.”
In an interview with the Sioux City Journal editorial board, Branstad explain that he didn’t want to discriminate against anyone, but “I also believe that marriage has always been the domain of one man and one woman in this country — not multiple spouses, not between people of the same sex. I believe that is what it was intended to be.”
He believes a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman should be put before the voters.
Branstad’s campaign could not be immediately reached for comment on the letter from One Iowa.
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