Iowa State Senator Complains of the Health Risks to his Family Caused by Homosexuality

Iowa state Sen. Dennis Guth (R) of Kemme, IA, gave a speech to the Iowa Senate yesterday talking about how society has been bamboozled about homosexuality. Tomorrow they're doing this "Day of Dialogue" thing, where social conservatives are encouraging folks to dialogue about why homosexuality is such a terrible thing, which prompted Sen. Guth's speech. I don't have a clue how to embed audio clips on my blog, but you can listen to his 8 minute speech by following this link.

Radio Iowa does a decent summary of his remarks, while weeding out the specifics:

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

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

“There are health risks that my family incurs because of the increase of sexually transmitted infections that this lifestyle invites. For example, there are more and more medical tests required before giving blood or giving birth,” Guth said.

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.”

Sen. Matt McCoy (D) of Des Moines came back with a quick retort that same morning, which you can also listen to at this link.

Iowa City Patch shared reactions from several others who disagreed with Guth. Interestingly, they weren't all Democrats. Including Sen. Bobby Kaufmann (R) of Wilton, IA:

"I do not find abrasive language such as this to be helpful to the atmosphere in Des Moines," said Kaufmann, whose district includes part of Johnson County. "I am hopeful that major changes can be made in the areas of education, property tax reform, eminent domain, and sound budgeting principles. Comments like these are not helpful nor productive."

... As well as Shane Blanchard, a Republican City Council member from Waukee, IA, who previously services on the Dallas County GOP central committee:

"I must not be up to date on STD Infections, I thought you could only get them while having intercourse with someone already infected," Blanchard said. "Unless he is speaking of some other kind of health risk, and I don't know what that could be?"

I've already seen a couple groups soliciting monetary donations in opposition to Guth's statements. I'm not sure that his statements will embarrass enough of his constituents to seriously matter.