Iowa Supreme Court unanimously overturns ban on gay marriage

[Diabeetus]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iHUp4BkOCwXHCaN3c1RyYj61fYTQD97B1H7O0

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says the state's same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples, making it the third state where gay marriage is legal.

In a unanimous ruling issued Friday, the court upheld a 2007 Polk County District Court judge's ruling that the law violated the state constitution.

The case stems from a 2005 lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay rights organization. The group filed a lawsuit on behalf of six gay and lesbian Iowa couples who were denied marriage licenses.

The suit named then-Polk County recorder and registrar Timothy Brien.

The Polk County attorney's office claimed that Hanson's ruling violated the separation of powers and the issue should be left to the Legislature.

 

[Football_Bat]

Teh Gay is coming to get you, Tony! It's only one state away!

Boogity boogity!

 

[andyouare?]

Wow, I didn't even know this was on the radar.

How's this for weird: California, gay marriage is banned. Iowa? Hell yeah! We're registered at Banana Republic!

 

[JR]

Well, this thread won't end well. It will end predictably, but not well.

 

[I Digress]

Freedom in Red America!!!!!!

 

[Diabeetus]

Iowa was blue

 

[MU_was_not_so_hard]

Teh Gay is coming to get you, Tony! It's only one state away!

Boogity boogity!

Awesome. Thanks for the early morning laugh.
And good for Iowa. It's another baby step, but it's a damn fine step.

 

[finishthehat]

What if both the gay people living in Iowa don't like each other?


(Kidding, kidding.)

 

[Bob Cook]

The only things that come from Iowa are steers and queers, and I don't see any gay-marry wedding ring on you!

 

[andyouare?]

I think it's great, but it's hard to imagine G&L wedding planners thinking, hmmm, "Massachusetts, Connecticut, (maybe Vermont) or. . .Des Moines."

 

[TigerVols]

What if both the gay people living in Iowa don't like each other?


(Kidding, kidding.)

Well played!

 

[MU_was_not_so_hard]

I think it's great, but it's hard to imagine G&L wedding planners thinking, hmmm, "Massachusetts, Connecticut, (maybe Vermont) or. . .Des Moines."

Jokingly, that was my first thought. Only Iowa could make Stoors look like an option...

On a serious note, it's a hell of a lot closer for a hell of a lot of people living in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, etc., etc.

 

[Pastor]

Hey, it looks like more of America is finally moving forward.

 

[TigerVols]

There goes Keokuk's chances of hosting the next UFC Supermatch.

[/crossthreading]

 

[andyouare?]

I think it's great, but it's hard to imagine G&L wedding planners thinking, hmmm, "Massachusetts, Connecticut, (maybe Vermont) or. . .Des Moines."

Jokingly, that was my first thought. Only Iowa could make Stoors look like an option...

On a serious note, it's a hell of a lot closer for a hell of a lot of people living in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, etc., etc.

You're right and I was just being silly.

The NE is considered liberal elite territory, but Iowa? I'm not so naive to think every state will adopt this, but in 10-15 years I'd be surprised if there's not at least twice as many states offering the same thing.

"Iowa: We're not as square as nearby states."

 

[imjustagirl]

Yay Iowa!

 

[JBHawkEye]

Thank you.

 

[andyouare?]

Sadly, of course, this isn't the end of it.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090403/NEWS/90403010

Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) issued the following statement this morning in response to the Iowa Supreme Court's decision to allow gay marriage in Iowa:

"The decision made by the Iowa Supreme Court today to allow gay marriage in Iowa is disappointing on many levels. I believe marriage should only be between one man and one woman and I am confident the majority of Iowans want traditional marriage to be legally recognized in this state. Though the court has made their decision, I believe every Iowan should have a voice on this matter and that is why the Iowa Legislature should immediately act to pass a Constitutional Amendment that protects traditional marriage, keeps it as a sacred bond only between one man and one woman and gives every Iowan a chance to have their say through a vote of the people."

In other words, they're going to try to pass a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, which would nullify the court's ruling, much like in California.

Such a change would require approval in consecutive legislative sessions and a public vote, which means a ban would could not be put in place until at least 2012 unless lawmakers take up the issue in the next few weeks.

Hmmm. Let's see. What else is going on politically in 2012?

 

[JBHawkEye]

I would like to tell this guy, as a registered Republican, I've seen a lot of these one-man-one-woman couples in this state who should not be allowed to breed. We would do better if they move to another state.

 

[MU_was_not_so_hard]

There are, shockingly to most of us outsiders, a pretty high amount of socially liberal churches in Iowa. If they're smart, they'll open it up immediately and start paying some bills.