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A parade celebrating traditional marriage set for tomorrow in Ottumwa, Iowa
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is dividing the small city. Supporters call it a celebration. Opponents say it's exclusionary
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It caps a week of heated debate in the community of 25,000 after city leaders approved a proclamation
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recognizing traditional marriage. The document passed Tuesday by a four-to-one vote. It states
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that, quote, the history of traditional marriage is as old as history itself, beginning with one man
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and one woman. It also claims a married mother and father in the home leads to stronger outcomes
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for children. Councilmember Kara Galloway cast the loan no vote, saying proclamations should
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lift people up, not tear the community apart. Supporters insist Saturday's parade is not an
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attack on LGBTQ plus residents. Travis Decker, a local Baptist minister and one of the leading
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organizers told city leaders it's about promoting shared values. His wife, Colleen, added she doesn't
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see anything hateful about celebrating marriage. But LGBTQ plus advocates see it differently
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Kristen Payne, president of Otumwa Pride, says the event sends a harmful message and embarrasses
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the community. She argues traditional married couples have never faced discrimination. The
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Atumwa Council also passed a Pride Month proclamation recognizing the LGBTQ plus community
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though it did not specifically mention same-sex marriage. For more unbiased updates
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