Same-sex marriages

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Same-sex marriage (SSM) in Iowa

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Quotations:

	"If marriage means everything, it means absolutely nothing." Dr. James C. Dobson, of Focus on the Family.
	"A loving man and woman in a committed relationship can marry. Dogs, no matter what their relationship, are not allowed to marry. How should society treat gays and lesbians in committed relationships? As dogs or as humans?" A posting to an Internet mailing list; used by permission of the author.

Status:

The Associated Press reported that:

"Iowa has a history of being in the forefront on social issues. It was among the first states to legalize interracial marriage and to allow married women to own property. It was also the first state to admit a woman to the bar to practice law and was a leader in school desegregation." ₁

On 2009-APR-03, the Iowa Supreme Court continued this civil rights heritage when the justices unanimously determined that the state's ban on same-sex marriage (SSM) was unconstitutional because it violated the equal protection clause of the Iowa constitution. Same-sex marriages are expected to begin in late April.

A poll taken by the University of Iowa just before the court ruling indicated that most Iowans supported either same-sex marriage or civil unions. But only 26% support same-sex marriage.

On Monday, 2009-APR-27, same-sex couples across the state began obtaining marriage licenses in their county recorder offices. Some obtained judicial waiver of the normal three-day waiting period and were able to marry immediately.

There will almost certainly be a vote on a constitutional revision in 2012-NOV that will allow the public to outlaw SSM and forcibly divorce these same-sex couples against their will.

Topics covered in this section:

	Background of same-sex marriage in Iowa
	The Polk County District Court court case
	The District Court ruling
	Reactions to the District Court ruling; subsequent developments
	Appeal to the state Supreme Court
	The Supreme Court ruling Reactions by those opposed to marriage equity More opposition reaction, including a hate Email that we received Reactions by those supporting marriage equity
	Iowa Marriage Amendment. The future.

Reference used:

The following information source was used to prepare and update the above menu. The hyperlink is not necessarily still active today.

1. Amy Lorentzen, "Iowa Court Ruling Legalizes Gay Marriage," Associated Press, 2009-APR-05, at: http://news.aol.com/
2. Amy Lorentzen, "Same-sex couples begin tying the knot in Iowa," Associated Press, 2009-APR-27, at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/

Copyright © 2007 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2007-AUG-30
Latest update: 2009-APR-06
Author: B.A. Robinson

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