Yes. Really. Zach Wahls, is a 19-year-old student fighting for marriage equality in Iowa.
He speaks about the strength of his family during a public forum on House Joint Resolution 6 in the Iowa House of Representatives. Wahls has two mothers, and came to oppose House Joint Resolution 6 which would end civil unions in Iowa.
One word. Wow.
Extraorindary. Please share this to help people understand why same-sex marriage should be legalised……
Comments
98 Comments so far
That is the most amazing thing I have seen all year. What an amazing guy. Everything he says is 100 % correct.
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Tears! an amazing young person
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Awesome! thanks Mia
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Wow!
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Only just caught this. Love it. “Because not once in my 19 years have I been confronted by a person who realised independently that I was raised by a gay couple.”
Pretty much says all that needs to be said now doesn’t it?
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That brought a tear to my eye, so beautiful.
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Very Beautiful! hopefully one day all the ignorance and hate will dissolve, but then the people who so love to judge may have to find new hobbies!
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I have read all the comments, and the vast majority are pro gay marriage. So, who are the people who are against it? Is it that they are afraid to come forward because there really isn’t an argument to be made? I think the ‘accidentally having children’ is creative, hardly anything more than political spin. Is it that the majority of people against it are older and therefore not online? Just curious as I really believe that the PM herself, privately would agree to it, but as she’s more pawn than Queen she can’t say that, which is dismal for so many reasons. Anyway, where are all the people who are the cause of the pollies not wanting to give this the green light?
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You won’t really find them on this forum, it just doesn’t really lean that way as previous discussions have proven. There are some on here who don’t support it but they either don’t comment or they are few. That’s just going by previous discussions. Some would argue the overwhelming pro comments scare away any dissenters. Personally I think it’s just the lean of this site.
However if you go look at the comments section of any major online newspaper it’s the total opposite…
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Thanks Apples for your reply. I am a very newbie here, so wasn’t aware of the ways of the group
If the stats are as you say then I guess there just must be a lot of scared people out there who just fear the change more than they can love fellow human beings.
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I also think that people know Mia’s thoughts on same sex marriage so I guess she attracts like minded people.
I never really knew about her and thought she was just a typical fashion magazine person but she is awesome
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I think the older and not online applies, but also this site does tend to have moderate, socially liberal leanings (where the Labor party used to be on the spectrum…) and is predominantly female and not generally religious.
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Oh that was good. And I want to marry him !
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Put this on my facebook and my mum commented — didn’t change my mind — always supported same sex marraige! Love my mum!
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Didn’t even have to watch the video. Nothing will change my opinion of legalising same sex marriages. Have always been in favour of it, and don’t see my opinion changing any time in the near future.
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I think everyone needs to look at themselves and their partners and ask themselves, how would I feel if I was told I wasn’t allowed to marry the person I love? I was brought up by a mum and dad and I am straight, but I know of many people who were brought up my a mum and dad and are now leading a very rebellious, deconstructive life because of the dysfunctional family they grew up in. Gay marriage shouldn’t be discriminated against, it doesn’t matter if a child is brought up with two mums, two dads or a mum and dad, as long as it is loved and grown up with respectable morals, sexuality shouldn’t play a part.
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I watched that video over and over. Zach is a great advocate for same sex marriage. He’s right, family makes family, but they are discriminated because they are same sex – does it really matter?
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Good job, kiddo. Don’t stop.
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Godo job, kiddo. Don’t stop.
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Bravo – what a brilliant young man.
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… well, this guy would make a good preacher. I don’t support same sex marriage because I have fundamental Christian beliefs. However, I can understand the rationale behind most arguments in favour of same sex marriage. I’d also like to add I don’t believe that God hates anyone who is homosexual but I do believe that God loves us all.
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You can still support same-sex marriage.
Marriage is a secular institution in Australia. Even if Gillard turned around tomorrow and said gay people can get married your church doesn’t have to marry any gay people. Your church can go on discriminating as much as it likes, as can any other organised religion. You can happily refuse and tell the gay people (not that I imagine many of them would be of your persuasion) that YOUR church and YOUR beliefs don’t allow for same-sex marriage.
Just remember marriage is NOT a religious institution and the MAJORITY of Australians do not get married in a church in Australia.
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I guess it depends on what you believe in, or not.
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I am not married (by choice) to my partner, we are a straight couple. I’m not a church going kind of girl, but I respect the church’s right to not marry whomever they want to not marry.
Secular or civil marriage though: I cannot for the life of me understand why this is an issue, still, now, 2011. Well I DO know why, and that does seem to come back to religion. If we, Australians as a people are allowed to be Agnostic, Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, Jewish, Scientologist, Sikh, or any other religion or NOT why should Christian beliefs prevent such a simple thing as two people who love each other getting married? Don’t get it.
And the speech? A. mazing. I cannot believe this young man is 19! He’s going to go a long way baby!
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I just don’t get this argument. I have strong atheist beliefs. How about I oppose my beliefs on the way you life your life?
No? No. That would be unfair of me.
Marriage is NOT a Christian institution. It’s common to religions and cultures across the planet. Stop hiding behind your beliefs to discriminate against others for their personal choices – choices that affect your life in no way whatsoever.
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I’m not imposing my beliefs on anyone, just putting my viewpoint across which is different to yours. I agree to disagree with you :0
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Hi Kelly, while I do agree with you, I’m not sure about the ‘personal choices’. If you mean people ‘choosing’ to be gay, then that’s like saying I’ve chosen how tall I am! Of course if you just mean the choice to marry, then I’ll butt out quietly
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I mean marriage, not homosexuality.
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I agree with Two Mummies.
Most of us who are fighting for same-sex marriage equality aren’t talking about forcing churches to conduct them. After all, it’s been 2000 years and we haven’t even got women’s equality yet!
Marriage is mostly a civil ceremony these days, so same-sex couples who want to get married would simply have a civil ceremony, as a majority of straight couples so these days. You can support the right of same-sex couples to get married civilly, but not in your church.
(FWIW, I’m a bisexual woman and can’t understand why my right to marry the person I love depends solely on the shape of one of their chromosomes.)
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It blows my mind that we live in 2011 and there is no same sex marriage.
…..But before you go any further, just have a think about various policies you support that enforce rules and beliefs upon other.
Just remember that there are many different legal injustices and how many of them do you turn a blind eye to.
We need a philosophical zero point, where we either have 100% rights to our body, mind, life or we don’t.
One change to the law, that says: It’s your body, do as you please.
Because that’s kinda what we are arguing for isn’t it? The freedom over our own lives without fear of our rights been repressed.
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Well this afternoon my same-sex partner and I along with our 5 year old daughter and her donor daddy are meeting with Jamie Briggs MP as a result of the Greens motion to get all federal MP’s to talk to their constituents about same-sex marriage.
What do I expect? Not much really, I know a 20 minute conversation with my family won’t change Brigg’s mind. He’s on the record as supporting the status quo. All we realy hope to do is broaden his mind about who same-sex families really are. We want him to see the two professional working mothers (one an academic the other high school teacher) who are raising a beautiful, kind and well adjusted daughter. We want him to know about the volunteer work we do in our community, the fact that we pay taxes and contribute to society like many other straight couples, we want him to know that we derserve the same right to marry as anyone else.
I’m sure our daughter will want to ask him why her mummies can’t get married, or her Daddy and his partner for that matter. We thought long and hard about whether to even bring her to the meeting. We don’t want her to be upset or be seen to be being used for political purposes. We will probably ask her father to take her for a walk after meeting Briggs so we can have a grown up conversation.
Anyhoo it is great to see all the support for gay marriage on this site. All I ask is that you take that support and put it in a letter to your federal MP or even better make an appointment and meet your MP and tell him or her face-to-face that you want an end to the discrimination.
Wish us luck!
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Good luck for this afternoon.
I really think that personal contact is an effective way to bring about change in peoples attitudes. I don’t know much about Briggs but exposing him to the normalcy of your life can only be a good thing.
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i really wish you lots of luck. i hope that this becomes a political issue during 2011.
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Thought provoking and true. There are so many children in the care of traditional ‘husband and wife’ parents who are not look after properly – why isn’t anyone questioning them instead of wasting time trying to create problems that aren’t there?
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What an amazing boy, his mothers must be so proud of him.
I cannot understand why anyone opposes gay marriage. How does it affect you if gay people are able to marry the person they love. It doesn’t. marrying my husband was one of the happiest days of my life, standing in front of my fam ily and friends and telling them we loved each other. Everyone should have the right to that. The family unit has changed so much, it is ridiculous to say marriage is only for a man and a woman, and we all know you sexual orientation has no bearing on your ability to raise and love a child. Lets hope Austrlia comes to it’s senses.
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Very cool.
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What an amazing moment for him. Outstanding. I think perhaps with time attitudes towards same sex marriage will change. I hope so. With people like this young gentleman to lead the way I hope he changed some ignorant minds. I’m a heterosexual and I cannot even fathom the thought that my wishes and dreams could banned by a society that I live in, that I contribute to. Every person deserves the same rights as another.
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Very moving and thought provoking speech.
To keep the thread balanced ….Our neighbours adopted 2 boys about 2.5 years ago. They are birth brothers. They were adopted by 2 women who have now ‘broken up’. The boys are only young – aged 3.5 and 5.
Not sure what is going to happen next to the remaining family unit. Sad to see any family split apart but this is classic case of political correctness by the local council gone wrong whilst married couples who have been together 10+ years wait for a baby to adopt.
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oh dear. I don’t think you can adopt humans fom the local council. Puppies yes,baby boys-no. It’s a sad situation but lots of couples break up. It just shows that everyone is subject to the same relationship pressures`regardless of sexuality.
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Sometimes I wish there was a thumbs down button. Local council indeed.*sniffs in indignant manner and goes to make cup of tea.*
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What a great speech from a beautiful soul!
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First and foremost, Zach is 19yrs old..OMG 19!! regardless of his back ground, who raised him, were he came from, colour, religion or his sexual orientation….what a fabulous speech. I say “I’m with you Zach”
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Here’s a the best argument iv heard for the opposition
Now son you see
Gay marriage is wrong because I was told by my father who was told by his grandmother who was told by a book. This is why it’s wrong
And while I’m at it id like to point out that only one member in my family was educated to the level of 6th grade but we attend church every day. And it is my right to voice my disapproval towards you because everyone has their rights…..except you
Because we’re dumb, and in power
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I’m sure this never happened before….cough slaves, women , color
All men and women must be treated equally regardless of all qualitys that an individual has, no governing body may rightfully inter fear
Very good speech,
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Great speech. Unfortunately the amendment he was arguing against was passed by a vote of 62-37. Very sad.
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No part of my mind can comprehend why there is still even a debate on this issue?? Love is love. Marriage is love. No matter what gender, race or circumstance. I… I just cant understand why a group of people within society is denied such a basic right.
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I can’t watch this video as my internet today is being a jerk.
It will be great if someone finally sees that the world isn’t going to end if marriage is equal for all sexes.
I am so tired of hearing the same boring old comments ” marriage was always between man and woman ” ” it is not Adam and Steve ”
Do your research and you will see what marriage really was meant to be for when it was ” invented ” .
Anyone who has ever been in love TRUELY in love would support same sex marriage.
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He’s gorgeous. Inside AND out
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Engineering? Pah! Politics is surely his calling.
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ooh he’s sexy!
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total legend!!!!!!
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Awesome. Amazing. Brilliant. Wow.
I love it.
He gave me shivers and tears.
You can tell how passionate he is about it.
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God bless you and your family Zach. And by the way, will you marry me?
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What an amazing, amazing young man. Found myself nodding in agreement and smiling right throughout the video. Good on him. What awesome parents he must have, to have the confidence within himself to be able to stand-up and speak so passionately for such an important cause, their home must be fill of lots of love and light.
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Awesome. So awesome.
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Magnificent. I am standing and cheering.
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outstanding, awesome young guy. I am sitting infront of my laptop clapping and crying at the same time.
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It’s surreal to see an Australian blog writing about a speech given to the Iowa House. I was born and raised in Iowa. (Born in Iowa City, grew up in the suburbs of Des Moines, and went to college in Cedar Falls.) I moved to California nearly 20 years ago, but Iowa still feels like home.
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Spine tingling.
What an articulate, engaging speaker. I was nodding my head throughout.
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wow, what an amazing speech.
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Amazing. God, I wish Australia would just legalise same-sex marriage already… truly. It’s ridiculous and the same old arguments are getting old.
Julia Gillard avoids the topic and says that the law should remain as it is because “it’s always been that way”. Really Ms Gillard? Interesting… considering she isn’t married herself and calls herself an atheist.
If laws were never changed then Gillard wouldn’t be our PM because she wouldn’t legally be allowed to vote…
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All Gillard is doing is skirting around the issue since she doesn’t want to place any negativity around her Government. She is only PM because of a technicality. Do you think Labour would win the next election if she legalised gay marriage?
It would be nice to see a Prime Minister have some balls and do something about it, but I doubt they would get the votes because of the stiffs in parliament.
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I think Labor’s popularity would improve if they took a stand and legalised gay marriage. At the moment, in my opinion, Liberal and Labor aren’t so different anymore.
It would be nice to see a Prime Minister actually lead this country. Yes, that involves making unpopular decisions as well. But, at the end of the day it’s not just the PM who is running this country – it’s the ministers too and they should be putting pressure on their leader to actually listen to public opinion.
Yes, a small minority of people are gay in this country and heck some of them might not even want to get married. As a bisexual myself, I have been in relationships with both men and women and it would mean a lot to me that no matter who I decided to settle down with, I would be able to marry that person who I love.
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Round of applause, with a tear in my eye. This topic hits me VERY close to home. Well done, Zach, for being a well spoken, honest, caring, empathetic man. Well done Zach’s mums, for raising him right.
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WOW! This really touched me. I hope that this touches the right people and they do the right thing too.
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What an awesome young man and a well thought out, coherent and persuasive argument.
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If two people are committed to sharing their life together, surely that is to be encouraged and supported. So what if they’re the same sex, it’s not as if heterosexual couples are doing such a great job at it if the divorce statistics are anything to go by.
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Amazing self confidence – fantastic.
Loved the Golden Girls clip on same sex marriage too.
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Is there something wrong with that video…because it got all blurry. No, wait…the blur is me.
What an eloquent speech by an amazing son.
It’s not changing my views because I’m totally pro everyone being able to marry the person they love, but still absolutely wow.
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