Iowa officials have confirmed that Iowa State Senator Matt McCoy received a death threat by telephone on Monday. Iowa’s first and only gay lawmaker, McCoy has been a vocal supporter of the Iowa Supreme Court’s recent ruling on gay marriage, and the threat comes in the midst of protests for and against marriage equality at the state capital.

From the Des Moines Register:

Security was heavy at the Capitol again Monday as supporters of traditional marriage rallied outside the building, then came inside to lobby lawmakers. They want lawmakers to take steps against an April 3 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in Iowa.

Below is a message from Senator McCoy after the gay marriage ruling…

First openly gay Iowa state senator Matt McCoy remarks on today’s landmark decision, describing it as a “Red letter day for the state of Iowa.” McCoy goes on to say that he views the issue as settled, noting Iowa’s long history of civil rights firsts and that it cannot be easily be undone (unlike California) thanks to Iowa’s rigorous legislative and judicial processes.

Will today’s events impact the pending decision of the California Supreme Court on Proposition 8?