Two Republican legislators have proposed a bill that would take out wording in schools’ discrimination policies that protects students from bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

State Representatives Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, and Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, sponsored the bill that would alter the 2007 anti-bullying legislation.

The move is just one of many tactics Iowa Republican legislators have used in recent days to force a vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman, including an attempt by State Rep. Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, to alter tax code and define a married couple as “one man and one woman.”

All attempts have been blocked by the Democratic majority.

The movement has bolstered Democratic support, though, with four Democratic senators, Dennis Black of Newton, Keith Kreiman of Bloomfield, Rich Olive of Story City and Joe Seng of Davenport, breaking party lines and signing a petition that would force the body to a vote on same-sex marriage.

According to a poll conducted earlier this month by the Des Moines Register, 62 percent of Iowans believe there are more important issues at hand than gay marriage. The poll had a 3.5 percent margin of error and indicates that more Iowans find texting while driving in need of more attention right now than the same-sex marriage debate.

Debate still lives on, though, between students at the University of Northern Iowa.

“The very act of proposing such an amendment to the Safe Schools Law is a blatant smack in the face to not only members of the (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community, but to others who have worked so hard to protect these children from a very prominent form of bullying in today’s schools,” said Sara Richardson, president of UNI PROUD.

UNI PROUD strives to make a tolerant and inclusive environment for all students on the UNI campus, said Richardson.

Julia Ruetten, a senior political communication major and member of the College Republicans, has a different take.

“I am in full support of Reps. Shultz and Windschitl’s effort to bring up debate concerning a constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman. Both sides on the issue have every right to pursue all options, which allows them to move forward their preferred policy. There is nothing wrong allowing debate or even a vote on the issue,” said Ruetten.

Ruetten also believes there are underlying motives behind the Democrats’ attempts to block debate on a constitutional amendment.

“I believe the hesitation to allow debate and a vote is a cowardly move by the majority to protect a controversial decision, which they know does not have the support of the majority of Iowans,” said Ruetten.

Richardson takes issue with the Republicans’ methods of bringing about such a debate, however.

“This proposal is a despicable means of attempting to get the Republican Party’s point across. Children and their well-being are not, nor should they ever, be used for political weapons. I fail to see the connection between an anti-bullying law and marriage laws,” said Richardson.

March 31 marks the scheduled last day of the 2010 Iowa legislative session.