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There is no shortage of leftist interest groups at the Capitol in Des Moines. That’s evidenced by the lengthy list of liberal organizations who opposed an effort to protect and preserve women’s sports.

There were a few organizations, however, that registered in support of protecting women’s sports.

Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values, Concerned Women for America of Iowa, VALOR Iowa and The FAMiLY Leader all registered in support of the legislation.

The Iowa Board of Regents registered undecided.

Every other group that registered lined up against biological girls in our state.

Truly a shame.

But there were two groups of interest not listed at all — Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition and the Iowa Catholic Conference.

This bill was not a secret by any stretch. Any lobbyist with a pulse knew it was moving through the process the last couple of weeks. So there really is no excuse for groups not to register on it if — IF — they have an interest in the issue.

Davenport Bishop Thomas Zinkula has formed a “Gender Committee” to learn from transgender Catholics recently. This likely explains why the Iowa Catholic Conference wasn’t on board.

According to the Catholic Messenger, the Davenport’s diocesan newspaper, a series called “A Pastoral Approach to Gender” is inviting Catholics to a more holistic understanding of identities under the transgender umbrella, and how being transgender intersects with Catholicism.

Zinkula said Catholics are “obliged to seek out and minister to LGBTQ+ persons who are so often misunderstood and even vilified.”

According to the article in the newspaper, Catholic Church teaching “does not specifically address transgender issue.”

As for Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition, Patrick Purtill is listed as a registered lobbyist and has registered on just one bill — House Study Bill 607. That is a bill that relates to the length of probation, discharge from probation, payment of fines and fees and probation violations.

Eric Branstad recently signed up as a lobbyist. He has declared in support of one bill as well — the Medical Freedom & Privacy Act.

But neither Purtill nor Branstad registered in support of protecting women’s sports.

When Terry Branstad was discussing his thoughts and feelings on same-sex marriage, he said he wasn’t aware of what the Republican Party platform stated on same-sex marriage and didn’t care.

Eric Branstad recently spoke in support of a pro-LGBTQ Iowa House Republican — Joe Mitchell — in Mitchell’s primary against Rep. Jeff Shipley. Eric Branstad is the Legislative Director for Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition.

Though they didn’t register in support of the bill to protect women’s sports, they did celebrate the bill signing on Facebook.

Author: Jacob Hall

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