IA: One Iowa Airing Gay Marriage TV Ads

Received this from One Iowa: On Sunday, Jan. 10, One Iowa will begin airing television ads in the Des Moines metro area to support the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples. The ads are set to begin a day before the start of the 2010 legislative session and are coordinated with the launch of One Iowa's new campaign, Equality: Red Blue Purple. "The ad illustrates Iowa's leadership in protecting equal rights for all and builds upon the traditional Iowa values we hold dear," said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. The 60-second ad entitled “This Place” can be found online at www.oneiowa.org. Representatives of One Iowa are available throughout the coming week to talk about the ad and preparations for the upcoming legislative session. The ad run begins on the same day as One Iowa's legislative campaign launch. Equality: Red, Blue, Purple is a coalition of groups with a combined membership of nearly 150,000 Iowans and includes labor, civil rights, and faith groups. A campaign launch is scheduled on Sunday afternoon. EQUALITY: RED, BLUE, PURPLE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH January 10, 2010 Des Moines Social Club 1408 Locust St., Des Moines Doors open 2 p.m., program begins at 3 p.m. Full Text of Ad: There is a quiet strength that comes from this land and its people. Change happens, as in the passing of the seasons, but some things remain the same. People came to this place from many lands, spoke different languages, held different beliefs, but they all held one hope in common – that in this place: they could find freedom. Our Supreme Court has made a decision against discrimination – in favor of freedom. The justices were not divided; they were unanimous in holding up a tradition – that the Constitution of Iowa is meant to protect our freedoms. This will not change religious marriage or how each religion defines that. It does protect civil marriage for same sex couples, and protects the freedoms of all committed couples. And to those outsiders, who want to put discrimination into our Constitution, shame on them. This is a place where people are respected, and a time to protect the freedoms we share. We’re One Iowa, and that’s why we’re proud to have paid for this message. One Iowa is the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, committed to full equality for LGBT individuals, including the freedom to marry. More information at www.oneiowa.org.