"As a citizen of the state of Iowa and as a minister, I urge you not to write discrimination into the Iowa constitution,"' said LeCroy.

Danny Carroll, of the conservative group Family Leader, said backers of the measure are not asking lawmakers to take a position on whether they support or oppose same-sex marriage, but only asking that voters be given a chance to weigh in on the issue.

"We are not necessarily asking you to take a position one way or the other on the issue. We are simply asking you to give the people the right to vote.

Some brought personal stories to the meeting.

Liz George of Windsor Heights said her partner died in 2007, and she faced a host of legal troubles because they weren't married.

"We were partners for 21 years and we had no legal protections," George told the panel.

Bill Graham, of Indianola told the panel that his daughter was in a committed same-sex relationship with two children and it isn't fair to discriminate against her.

"Their relationship is exactly what a marriage relationship should be," said Graham. "I've never seen a stronger one."