Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa!

[KitchenWitch]

Iowa Supreme Court clears the way for gay marriage in Iowa

The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled the state law which forbids gay marriage in Iowa is unconstitutional. Six gay couples filed a lawsuit in 2005, arguing a state law which banned same-sex marriage was discriminatory. This morning at 8:30, the court issued its ruling on the case as activists on both sides of issue stood waiting outside the Iowa Judicial Building -- ready to speak with reporters on the scene.

Since 1998, a state law had stipulated that the only legally recognized marriages in Iowa are those between a man and a woman. Today's ruling will allows same-sex couples to file for a license and get married here. State law does not require people who are married in Iowa to be Iowa residents, so couples from out-of-state may travel to Iowa to tie the knot.

Last year, a district court judge ruled the 1998 state law which banned gay marriage was unconstitutional. A gay couple from Ames obtained a license and were able to find a cleric to perform a marriage ceremony on the sidewalk in front of his home before the judge issued an injunction that put same-sex marriage on hold until the state's highest court could issue its ruling.

http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=6C37EF39-5056-B82A-37A5A5B635170699

:bounce::bounce:

[amyrose2712]

1. One more for the good guys!

Now can we just make it national already!

[BlueJazz]

2. Alright!....Good news. Plus it's always fun to "stick it in the Ass" of people who...

...give idiotic reasons for not allowing ALL citizens equal rights. :)

[MADem]

3. If someone asked me to guess which state would grow up next, I wouldn't have said IOWA.

But hey, you never know, do ya?

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Actually, I'm not all that surprised

Yes, Iowa is relatively conservative. But from what I've seen and heard, it is largely "old school" conservative, with its emphasis on small government and a literal constitution, and not neo-conservative in the sense of Christian theocracy meets pure laissez-faire business practice. From an old school conservative perspective, it is difficult to support a ban on same-sex marriage.

[bullwinkle428]

7. There's still a fair amount of total wingnuts here, especially once

you get west of Des Moines. Look no further than the wonderful example of Congressman Steve King!! I'm sure fundie heads are exploding all over the state, as we speak!!!

:nuke: :evilgrin: :nuke: :evilgrin: :nuke: :evilgrin:

I'm fortunate enough to live at Ground Zero of the blue oasis that predominates the eastern part of the state, so I'm hoping that there are enough of us around if it goes down like California, and "the will of the people".

[Debi]

8. I saw a 'poll' on TV this morning

that basically has 1/3 of Iowans against gay marriage or civil unions 1/3 for gay marriage and 1/3 for civil unions. (don't know anything about the poll other than the blurb on TV - I think KCRG)

Sunday's or Monday's papers ought to be interesting - the RW nuts will be in full force!

So happy to live in an EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL state! :hi:

[nomorenomore08]

10. Those stats seem to mirror the national polls almost exactly.

Which, I guess, just goes to show that Iowa is about as "Middle America" (for better or worse) as you can get. Much harder for right-wing nuts to scapegoat than California or Massachusetts, you know?

[bluedawg12]

4. Yeah baby! Another one for the side of the angels.

Love the Field of Dreams ref. KW!

[Puglover]

6. My entire family is from Iowa.

When I came out to them 20 years ago it was no big deal. At all. Iowans are pretty live and let live. I'm really happy about this.

[bigwillq]

9. YAY!

Thank you, Iowa! :bounce:

[Starry Messenger]

11. That is thrilling news!

Go Iowa! I had no idea this was even in the works. Awesome news for the country and I hope the wave of the future! :bounce:

[sundog]

12. great news

this made my day

but at first i did a double take :wtf: Iowa??

:D

awesome

beautiful

:party: :party:

[WillParkinson]

13. KW, I loves ya....

If I wasn't gay and you weren't a woman...well, who knows! <meow>

[WillParkinson]

14. KW, I loves ya....

If I wasn't gay and you weren't a woman...well, who knows! <meow>

[Zuiderelle]

15. Two words I never thought I'd put together... "Iowa rocks!"

:patriot:

[Starry Messenger]

16. Get out your handkerchiefs...some great pictures from WaPo:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/04/03/GA2009040303467.html

It's one of those slideshows they don't let you hotlink photos from, so hopefully this link is right. Lots of happy faces. Bravo again, Iowa!

[Natalya Slosky]

17. WTG Iowa!

Three states down; 47 to go.. It may seem like a long ways to go but eventually we will have the right to marry in EVERY state. It's only a matter of time.