Senate rejects Board of Medicine candidate because of anti-LGBT views

The Iowa Senate has rejected the appointment of Katherine Asjes to the Iowa Board of Medicine because of anti-LGBT comments she made online. Her appointment failed following 30-18 vote, with all 18 negative votes made by Democrats.

Asjes had commented on a Catholic World Report article last year that heavily criticised homosexuality.

(Read the article here)

The article, titled “Re-building a Bridge: The connection between contraception and LGBT community”, surmises that sex can only exist in the purpose of procreation, that the gay identity is a false one, and criticises the gay rights movement and “audacity of ‘pride’” as a malicious attempt to make society into a “twisted fun-house mirror” full of same-sex marriages and adopted children.

Asjes posted in the comments section of the article: “Could you please give the early sources of your definition of heterosexual—the medical dictionary you used? I completely agree with all you have said here, but need some sources for back up, as my 20-something son is sceptical… I could not find anything about the original definition of heterosexual in a pretty serious online search.”

Senator Tony Bisignano, who first raised concerns about Asjes’ appointment, said in the article that “what I read was pretty off the wall. In reading this, she states that she completely agrees with all that this person has said and this guy goes back into the Dark Ages talking about sexuality and getting into homosexuality.”

Senate Minority Leader Janet Peterson agreed: “Our caucus is interested in making sure that anyone appointed to the Board of Medicine will protect the health of all Iowans. And after doing some research there were some concerns, red flags, in moving that confirmation forward.”

Asjes told the press that the rejection of her appointment “speaks to a lack of open-mindedness and the intolerance of Democrats.”

While Republican Senator Brad Zaun, who praised her appointment, said, “I am disgusted by what has been done.”

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