Gay-Rights Groups See Election As Major Setback

[Shana A]

Gay-Rights Groups See Election As Major Setback

DAVID CRARY | 11/ 3/10 04:28 PM | AP

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/gayrights-groups-see-elec_n_778589.html

NEW YORK — Gay-rights activists celebrated a few bright spots on Election Day, but they also suffered some major setbacks – including losses by key supporters in Congress and the ouster of three Iowa Supreme Court judges who had ruled in favor of same-sex marriage.

On both sides of the marriage debate, the Iowa vote was seen as a signal that judges in other states could face similar punitive challenges.

The congressional results further clouded the prospects for repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy so that gays could serve openly in the military. Democratic leaders, including President Barack Obama, hope for a repeal vote in the Senate during the upcoming lame-duck session, but the post-election climate may strengthen the hand of conservatives wary of repeal.