The Sioux City Human Rights Commission eventually voted 7-3 not to participate in that forum because many of the Christian commissioners do not approve of gay marriage, Flansburg said. Many of those members blamed Mackey for even asking them about the co-sponsorship proposal.

"Karen did not bring it up," Flansburg said. "She just presented the proposal from One Iowa."

Also in 2008, another controversy erupted over the selection of the recipient of the annual War Eagle Human Rights Award.

A Human Rights Commission subcommittee recommended the award be presented to Marge Stanek, a longtime leader in the local pro-life effort. The commission majority, with Mackey's support, concluded the rights of fetuses fell outside the purview of the commission.

On Feb. 3, 2009, the City Council adopted a resolution by a 3-2 vote supporting the legal description of marriage as between one man and one woman.

Figueroa addressed the council about his concerns over homosexuality and the impact same-sex marriages would have on small business owners. He owns A-1 Preferred, a duct cleaning company.