Apr 03 2009
Supremes: Gay Marriage Ban Violates the Iowa Constitution
Until today, Iowa law said marriage could only be between one man and one woman.
From the Gazzette. The link contains an embedded version of the ruling.
In a precedent-setting ruling, the Iowa Supreme Court today upheld a lower court decision legalizing same-sex marriages in Iowa.
The unanimous court decision is expected to carry national implications as Iowa becomes the first Midwest state to grant full legal standing to gay and lesbian couples and only the third state nationally to confer marital status beyond traditional one-man, one woman unions.
“We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective,” the opinion stated. “The Legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of people from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification.”
Gov. Chet Culver
“The decision released this morning by Supreme Court addresses a complicated and emotional issue, one on which Iowans have strong views and opinions on both sides. The next responsible step is to thoroughly review this decision, which I am doing with my legal counsel and the attorney general, before reacting to what it means for Iowa.”
Democratic Sen. Matt McCoy of Des Moines, who is openly gay.
“I’m off the wall. I’m very pleased to be an Iowan.”
Then, as he saw a stream of grim-faced activists from the Supreme Court passing through security at the Iowa Capitol, he said: “The God squad’s coming in the door now.”
