Zach Wahls Speaks About Family

Summary

In a powerful testimony, Zach Walls, a sixth-generation Iowan and engineering student, recounts his experience growing up in a loving, same-sex family. Despite facing societal prejudice, Zach highlights how his family’s love and commitment shaped him into a successful individual. He challenges the notion that same-sex parents negatively impact children, pointing out his academic success and personal achievements. Zach argues for equal treatment under the law, urging lawmakers not to enshrine discrimination into the Iowa Constitution, emphasizing that family is defined by love, not legal recognition.

Takeaways

• 😀 Zach Walls introduces himself as a sixth-generation Iowan, engineering student, and someone raised by a same-sex couple.
• 😀 He shares that his biological mother was initially not accepted by her parents due to her pregnancy, but they eventually embraced him.
• 😀 Zach's family dynamic mirrors that of many other Iowa families, including church attendance, shared meals, and vacations.
• 😀 His mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which added challenges, but they have always fought their battles without expecting others to solve their problems.
• 😀 The issue of same-sex marriage often comes up in his university discussions, with people questioning whether gay couples can raise children.
• 😀 Zach, being raised by a gay couple, refutes this by showcasing his achievements, such as scoring in the 99th percentile on the ACT, being an Eagle Scout, and running a small business.
• 😀 He emphasizes that his family is not so different from others, as family comes from commitment and love, not the state's recognition of marriage.
• 😀 He argues that voting to amend the constitution for marriage equality would codify discrimination and harm Iowa's legacy of having the least amended constitution in the U.S.
• 😀 Zach urges that the vote is not about changing families but about how the law recognizes them and treats their rights.
• 😀 He points out that no one has ever realized that he was raised by a gay couple, as the sexual orientation of his parents has had no impact on his character.
• 😀 Zach concludes by affirming that his experiences as a child of same-sex parents have shaped him positively, demonstrating that the love and commitment of his parents have been the defining factors in his success.

Q & A

What personal background does the speaker provide about themselves?

The speaker, Zach Walls, is a sixth-generation Iowan and an engineering student at the University of Iowa. He was raised by two women, his mother and her partner, and has a younger sister who shares the same anonymous donor as him, making them full siblings.

How does the speaker describe the family dynamics and challenges they faced?

Zach emphasizes that his family, while not without struggles, is similar to other Iowa families. He mentions how his mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which put her in a wheelchair, and how despite these challenges, his family fought their own battles and remained committed to each other.

What does Zach mean when he says, 'our family really isn't so different from any other Iowa family'?

Zach highlights the normalcy of his family's experiences, such as going to church, having dinner together, and going on vacations, despite being a same-sex couple household. His message is that their family dynamics are not fundamentally different from those of any other family in Iowa.

How does Zach respond to the argument that same-sex couples cannot raise children well?

Zach challenges the notion that same-sex couples can't raise children successfully by sharing his own accomplishments, including scoring in the 99th percentile on the ACT, becoming an Eagle Scout, and running a small business. He asserts that his success proves that being raised by a gay couple did not negatively impact his development.

What is the main message Zach conveys about the definition of family?

Zach argues that the true essence of a family is not based on legal recognition but on the commitment, love, and mutual support family members share with each other. He emphasizes that the strength of a family lies in its bond, not in the state's recognition of marriage.

What is the speaker's view on the proposed amendment to the Iowa constitution?

Zach opposes the proposed amendment, stating that it would codify discrimination into the state constitution by denying same-sex couples the right to marry. He argues that this is an unjust decision that would classify some Iowans as second-class citizens.

What point does Zach make about how the Iowa constitution has been amended?

Zach points out that, except for the proposed amendment, Iowa’s constitution is the least amended in the United States, suggesting that amending it to discriminate against same-sex couples would be a significant and harmful step.

How does Zach address the potential harm of having gay parents, as discussed during the vote?

Zach anticipates that opponents of same-sex marriage will argue that gay parents harm children, but he refutes this by stating that in his 19 years, he has never faced negative consequences from being raised by a gay couple. He emphasizes that the sexual orientation of his parents had no effect on his character.

What is Zach’s stance on the importance of marriage recognition by the state?

Zach believes that the state’s recognition of marriage is not essential to the validity or strength of a family. He argues that marriage is about the commitment and love between partners, not the state's validation, and that the amendment would unjustly deprive same-sex couples of this recognition.

What is the emotional tone of Zach’s speech?

Zach’s speech is both heartfelt and assertive. He conveys a deep sense of pride in his family and their values, while also challenging the discriminatory nature of the proposed amendment. His tone is passionate and confident, aiming to both educate and advocate for fairness.