Dean Genth, president of the Iowa Coalition of PFLAG Chapters, is asking that Bob Vander Plaats, the head of the Iowa organization called the FAMiLY Leader, to apologize for Vander Plaats' laughing and seemingly agreeing with derogatory comments targeting gay people.
The incident occurred in a video recently released in which Vander Plaats laughs along with and agrees with someone off-screen who says, "You know what my wife says? She says: Iowa, the state where you can’t smoke a fag, but you can marry one."
Following is the letter from Dean Genth:
Mr. Vander Plaats:
Your outrageous and derogatory comments have no place in the public debate about moving forward with equality for our LGBT citizens. I respectfully ask you to consider the harm you are causing legions of family members and allies of the LGBT citizenry throughout the state of Iowa and around the country. Your words have been inflammatory and hurtful.
As President of the Iowa Coalition of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), I am calling upon you to issue an apology to our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Iowans for your hurtful comments and actions.
This vulgarity must cease.
We await your sincere apology,
Dean A. Genth
President
Iowa Coalition of PFLAG Chapters
