KIRKBRIDE, Sandra

KIRKBRIDE, Sandra. (Dubuque, IA- ). Kirkbride was the founder of Voices for Life, a leading anti-abortion advocate. In January 1986 she traced her conversion to activism to a June 1983 broadcast of the PTL Club on which host Jim Bakker showed a painting of a grief stricken Jesus kneeling while holding an aborted fetus. From that time, Kirkbride became one of Iowa's leading moral crusaders.

In February that year, Kirkbride accused the Dubuque City Council of censorship. Voices for Life had paid for a Frank Hardie billboard criticizing the National Organization for Women for its support of abortion and homosexual rights. The sign was also to include the names of local NOW Steering Committee members. The council at its May 5th meeting decided to have seven billboards owned by Hardie removed from city-owned property. The action was reportedly taken in attempts to beautify the areas. (1)

In a 1987 editorial in the Telegraph Herald, Marian Bourek, chairman of the Dubuque County Right to Life, sought to differentiate that organization with Voices for Life. While agreeing with Voices for Life that there was nothing reverent or respectful about abortion, Ms. Bourke stated that Dubuque County Right to Life disagreed with the other organization's means of advocacy. (2)

Kirkbride's posting of anti-abortion billboards contributed to the controversy. The first poster, the Jesus picture, went up in 1985. Using the editorial page where documentation was not required, she wrote in 1987 of parts of aborted babies being used for earrings and children found playing with aborted body parts and heads found 'behind a women's health clinic.' (3) During the 1986 presidential election, billboards denounced Democrats Tom Harkin, Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro. Kirkbride was instrumental in bringing Joe Scheidler, an anti-abortion activist and founder of the pro-life Action League of Chicago, to Dubuque three times. She invited Jerry Falwell, leader of the Moral Majority, who later canceled his trip.

In 1988 a three-member Human Rights Commission task force was considering how to amend the city ordinance to protect gays and lesbians. The task force was named on May 9, 1988 by the Human Rights Commission to decide how the amendment would read and when to hold commission-level hearings. The Commission at that meeting also heard from Kirkbride who asked the Commission to reverse their vote on amending the ordinance. Although Commissioners took no action on her request, Kirkbride charged that the ordinance change would "open a Pandora's box on this city" which could not be closed. She continued that the change would "lay down a red carpet to homosexuals to come to Dubuque." She concluded, "Please do not compromise the standards and the moral values of this community by trying to force this on the community." (4) On September 26, 1987 an anti-gay and anti-lesbian rally was scheduled for Washington Park. Kirkbride, a planned speaker at the rally, was quoted saying,"No, we're not going to accept your lifestyle in this community. Stay in your closets," As a Christian, she stated the church must show "compassion" for gays and lesbians while not condoning what they do. (5)

In 1990 Kirkbride was a candidate for the Dubuque Community School Board, but dropped out of the race. (6) Previously that year, she had protested the use of some rooms at WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. (7)

While attributing the defeat of an expansion of GAY RIGHTS and LGBTQ rights to any one person would be irresponsible, it may be said that Kirkbride's work in opposition to these goals should not be under-emphasized.

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Sources:

1. Kraske, Steve, "Vote Prompts Censor Challenge," Telegraph Herald, May 20, 1986, p. 3

2. Editorial, Telegraph Herald, April 16, 1987, p. 3

3. Editorial, Telegraph Herald, October 19, 1987, p. 4

4. Chanaud, Timothy, "Rights Commission Task Force to Review Gay Protection," Telegraph Herald, May 10, 1988, p. 23

5. Chanaud, Timothy, "Police Don't Back Down," Telegraph Herald, September 23, 1987, p. 3

6. Hanson, Lyn, "School Board Candidates Air Views," Telegraph Herald, August 30, 1990, p. 2

7. "It's No Issue," Telegraph-Herald (editorial), May 25, 1990, p. 4