Legislator says he’s not decided how to handle Governor’s push for Gay rights

One of the legislators who fought Governor Tom Vilsack three years ago over gay rights is holding his fire, for now. Governor Tom Vilsack yesterday called on lawmakers to consider extending civil rights protections to gays and lesbians, and he, in turn, would consider letting “faith-based” groups run more government welfare programs. Senate Republican Leader Stewart Iverson of Dows isn’t shutting the door on the idea. Iverson says he doesn’t know what’s workable, but he says he’s willing to talk about the proposal. Iverson believes it’s wrong to extend civil rights protections to gays becuase of their “chosen behavior” when other civil rights protections are based on genetic traits. Iverson says all of us are created equal and he says he has a problem setting up special rules for special people. He says we are all the same and all have equal rights. Iverson was among those who successfully sued to block an executive order Vilsack issued that would have barred discrimination against state workers who’re gay, lesbian or trans-gender.