Iowa Governor Chet Culver told those gathered for the Second Annual Governor’s Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Youth this morning that they were about to make history .
Culver says Iowa will soon become one of only nine states to pass anti-bullying legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity among the categories protected in the state’s public and private schools. The Iowa House and Senate have passed separate versions of the so-called "Safe Schools Bill" and the Senate version has returned to the House for further debate.
Culver says: "Your work over the last few years, in educating and lobbying members of the Iowa Legislature has almost paid off. Not quite yet, but you’re getting very close. In a few days, I expect to have the honor of signing the Safe Schools Bill." Culver also told the group he plans to live up to a campaign promise and push for a bill that would add sexual orientation to the state’s civil rights code.
"I am proud of the fact that as a candidate for governor, I pledged to support this change to Iowa law," Culver says. He says he hopes to have the chance to sign a bill that changes the state civil rights code, and Culver told the group, "With your help we will." Governor Culver made his comments at the conference held at Drake University in Des Moines.