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DES MOINES — Although she’s not a lesbian and has been happily wed for 38 years in a heterosexual marriage, Mindy Kranpitz of Des Moines felt compelled to counter-protest at the “Let Us Vote” rally.
“I feel that the human rights of a minority group should not be decided by a majority,” Kranpitz said, holding a sign reading ‘Support All Marriages.’ “That’s why I do not believe on voting on the marriage amendment.”
The rally was organized by The Family Leader and attracted about 400 supporters wearing red shirts. Around 60 gay rights supporters were in and outside of the Capitol, many wearing blue.
Kranpitz stood on the west steps of the Capitol, a dozen or so yards away from where the speakers promoted the idea same-sex marriages were not equal to heterosexual marriages. Some even claimed problems arising from gay marriages would include child abuse, adoption, and divorce.
“The decline in marriage and the decline in families might lead to some of those things and that’s why all marriages should be supported,” Kranpitz said. She said she believes two men or two women could raise children just as well as any traditional couple.
After the rally concluded and some of the “Let Us Vote” protesters made their way toward the public entrance of the Capitol building to lobby legislators, some stopped to challenge the several counter-protesters, like Kranpitz, holding signs. She said many wrongfully assumed she was a lesbian just because she supported gay rights.
Another man standing with the counter-protesters made the point some assumed he was not religious; also incorrect.
One person standing in support of same-sex marriage rights said it seemed simply because they disagree with those who are against gay marriage, they must be different — they must not be Christian or straight.
One man walking around with a video camera, identifying himself as a conservative, approached and argued with a counter-protester who was holding a sign titled ‘You Can’t T-Bag Your Way To Equality.’ He told the counter-protester that liberals often come to conservative rallies and interrupt with shouting or using obscenities. As seen the video, the man responds that he is only holding a sign and that he is the one who was approached. The man holding the camera eventually referred to the counter-protester as a “Smartass” before walking away.
A few other counter-protesters actually sat within the crowd, holding anti-discrimination signs. One read ‘Let Go and Let Love.’
There were no violent clashes or overtly heated debates. Much of the debate among protesters from both sides remained civil.
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Video by Tyler Kingkade/Iowa Independent
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