Should Branstad Address GOP Senator's Controversial Comments on 'Health Risks' from Homosexuality?

An Iowa Democratic leader is calling on Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican, to denounce controversial comments about homosexuality by a GOP state senator.

Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Tyler Olson, who's also a state representative from Cedar Rapids, said Branstad has a responsibility to condemn the "hurtful" comments of State Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme.

Guth said on the Iowa Senate floor last week that homosexuality poses a health risk to him and his family, similar to second-hand smoke, and the media has "bamboozled" the public into accepting homosexuality. Guth was urging dialogue to warn young people about the risks of gay relationships.

"What Dennis Guth said was incredibly hurtful," Olson said in a news release. "Governor Branstad, as the Republican party leader and our state's top official, you have a responsibility to condemn these comments and stand up for all Iowans. Five days after these ignorant statements we have heard nothing from you and your silence encourages this to continue."

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Iowa State Senator Says You've Been 'Bamboozled' Into Accepting Homosexuality

Guth has been blasted by other legislators including Matt McCoy, an openly gay Democratic state senator from a district that includes West Des Moines, and a fellow Republican, Bobby Kaufmann, a representative from a district that includes Johnson County.

Guth stood by the comments later, telling the Des Moines Register in an interview, “I am willing to stand up and continue delivering the truth.”