Iowa General Assembly passes gay rights bill News
Iowa General Assembly passes gay rights bill

[JURIST] The Iowa House of Representatives [official website] voted 59-37 Wednesday to approve a bill [SF427 materials; JURIST report] that will provide equal opportunity protection to gays and lesbians in employment, housing, and education. The House approved the bill after adding an amendment stating that the state's current definition of marriage as between a man and a woman was not changed by the legislation. The Iowa Senate approved the House amendment by a vote of 34-16.

The bill now awaits the approval of Iowa Gov. Chet Culver [official website], who has said he will sign the legislation. AP has more. Radio Iowa has additional coverage.