You Go, Iowa!

I have written before about my time living in Iowa when I was in college, and how much I enjoyed Iowa and felt it became an adopted home. I also wrote ("Iowa, My Iowa") about my pride and excitement when marriage equality arrived in Iowa, and the curious case of the one young couple who were able to get married in the exceedingly brief interval between the time Polk County Judge Robert Hanson rendered his opinion and the moment when that opinion was stayed, to give the Iowa Supreme Court a chance to render its opinion. That opinion was given out this morning at 8:30 CDT.

By unanimous decision the supreme court embraced marriage equality in Iowa. From the memo accompanying the release of the opinion:

"In a unanimous decision, the Iowa Supreme Court today held that 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 decision strikes the language from Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman. It further directs that the remaining statutory language be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage. Today’s ruling resolves an action brought by six same-sex couples who were refused marriage licenses by the Polk County Recorder. Except for the statutory restriction that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, the twelve plaintiffs met the legal requirements to marry in Iowa. "

I understand that implementation will take effect in 21 days.

Thanks to Andy Towle (see his useful summary of news and reaction: "Iowa Supreme Court Unanimous in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage"), we have this delightful video recorded this morning by openly gay Iowa state senator Matt McCoy about the decision, saying "Today is a red letter day for Iowa."

I anticipate seeing the day when my current home-state of Maryland will recognize marriage equality — but I have to say that it would be pretty fabulous to get married in Iowa. My Iowa!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling a little emotional–in a good way for a change.

Posted on April 3, 2009 at 15.27 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Current Events, Faaabulosity

2 Responses

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  1. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Saturday, 4 April 2009 at 01.14
    Permalink

    This is good, not only because it ensures fairness in the right to marry to Iowans, but also because it adds to the momentum across the country. Maybe it will be a little easier for a judge or judges, or lawmakers, in other states to do the same. I hope so.

  2. Written by BearToast Joe
    on Saturday, 4 April 2009 at 19.48
    Permalink

    Here in NC, we're fighting off a constitutional amendment that not only "defines" marriage, but explicitly denies possibility of gay marriage, civil unions or anything.

    Yeah Iowa! One more voice of reason and understanding.

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