This just in: Iowa’s Supreme Court unanimously upheld the right of same-sex couples to marry.
“The Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution,” the justices said in a summary of their decision.
The court rules that gay marriage would be legal in three weeks, starting April 24.
[. . .]
The decision makes Iowa the first Midwestern state, and the fourth nationwide, to allow same-sex marriages. Lawyers for Lambda Legal, a gay rights group that financed the court battle and represented the couples, had hoped to use a court victory to demonstrate acceptance of same-sex marriage in heartland America.
Fuck yeah, Iowa! And a big congratulations to all of those who worked so hard on this case, and to all of the couples who now have plans to wed.
via just about everyone on Twitter
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As a life-long Iowan, and as a bisexual, I can honestly say I’ve never been prouder of my state. As we say during the caucuses: As goes Iowa, so goes the nation!
yay!!! so very excited this morning!
Woohoo! This is amazing, I’m so happy it’s happening next door (I’m in Illinois)!
This plus Speaker Pelosi’s instituting private breastfeeding rooms in the House = a sweet, sweet Friday.
oh…my…god. Yayyyyyyy!
i just got an email about this from the national black justice coalition. YAY Iowa!
Well, that’s cheered me up! Well done, Iowa!
This is too wonderful for words… I have been in tears over it.
Step by step, I think we can get it done!
trackback –
DEAD AIR always did like Iowa!
April 24 is my birthday. Happy birthday to me! I hope people stampede the offices with marriage certificates.
I don’t suppose there’s any hope that Iowa might be looking to annex a mid-sized eastern state, turn it into a county of 6 million people? It bothers me that Maryland, my sapphire Blue, progressive Maryland, failed when a midwestern purple state succeeded. Good on the Court for a unanimous decision.
A few months ago the Wyoming legislature rejected a Prop 8 style amendment. Wyoming law doesn’t allow same sex marriages, but it does require the state to recognize same sex unions from other states.
Yesssssssss!!!!
unanimous? UNANIMOUS? i’m amazed. and delighted. it’s like the iowa supreme court said, “WELL, DUH!”
So, Iowa, huh? Would they be considered east coast liberal or west coast liberals? ;)
Hey, Maryland Bruce — No need to despair, just because you’re in Maryland!
Iowa does not require residency in order to get married in Iowa. I’m looking forward to a MUCH busier airport with gay couples everywhere coming here to wed.
Oh, Happy Times (Long Time Coming) :)
P.S. The thanks belong to many, but you can send them to One Iowa. One Iowa is certainly the most effective GLBT organization in Iowa, and instrumental in this victory. They coordinated the efforts, ran phone banks, fundraising, everything. I’m not affiliated with them, other than as a grateful constituent and volunteer, but would love to have a lot of people shoot them a “Congrats”, “Thank You!”.
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