Iowa Is For Lovers!

On Friday, April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court held that a 1998 law that limited marriage to heterosexual couples was unconstitutional. The case, Varnum v. Brien, originated when two women applied for an Iowa marriage license and were denied because they are a same-sex couple - instead of just walking away, they decided to sue.
The Court's unanimous decision declared that the law violated the equal protection rights of the state's gay and lesbian couples. People across the country expressed disbelief that Iowa, a heartland state, was one of the first to fully legalize gay marriage. However, Iowa has a long history of taking first steps in civil rights work. They were first state to allow women into the practice of law, and were among the first to allow interracial marriage and strike down segregation.

Cheers to the six plaintiff couples who were part of the case from beginning to end, allowing their lives to be scrutinized, and to the many Iowans who showed their support of the LGBT community.

This is a tremendous step in the continuing battle for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights.

Below, two of my favorite clips about this historic decision. First, a clip from Iowa Public Television of the press conference held directly after the decision came down. Second, a homemade video from a very thankful Iowan.