Support for the Iowa Supreme Court
ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

"Iowa has always been on the cutting edge of civil rights, whether it's regarding desegregation of schools or the rights of African-Americans to be full citizens. "This is huge. And I think it's a testament to the fairness and sense of decency that Iowans have." ₁₂

"This is a tremendous victory for gay and lesbian couples and for all who care about equality. The court recognized that the state's equality guarantee cannot tolerate having rules that single out gay couples and exclude them from marriage." ₄

"Today's victory assures that all Iowans have access to marriage and the security, dignity and protections it provides. We extend our best wishes to the couples who choose to recognize their commitment to each other through marriage." ₄

"Thousands of Iowans who have worked hard, raised families, and paid taxes will now be afforded the opportunity to marry. Today Iowa is sending a message to young people, both gay and straight. If you are looking for a great place to live, a place where people treat their neighbors with respect, come to Iowa to work, to invest and to raise a family." ₄

Actually, he is clearly wrong. Polls show that the majority of adults in Iowa oppose marriage equality. It is the Supreme Court of Iowa who promotes treating neighbors's relationships with respect and equality.

"This ruling marks another watershed moment in the struggle for full equality. No longer will same-sex couples have their relationships treated as less than equal by the state. The court rightly affirmed that no loving committed couple should be denied marriage and the critical protections only marriage can provide. This ruling also affirms our common humanity by providing same-sex couples with the opportunity to participate in the shared hopes and dreams of making a public commitment to the person they love. We are thrilled that equality has come to Iowa!"

"We extend our heartfelt thanks to the plaintiffs and groups that made today's victory possible, especially to Lambda Legal for serving as lead legal counsel, and One Iowa for its statewide public education and advocacy to promote the freedom to marry. We know that many fair-minded Iowans -- and fair-minded people across the country -- will be celebrating with us in response to today's decision." ₅

"Today's Iowa Supreme Court decision striking down a state law banning same-sex marriage is a welcome reaffirmation of religious liberty, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State."

"In its unanimous ruling, the Iowa high court makes it clear that religious denominations have a constitutional right to set their own rules about marriage but that civil law should reflect equal protection for all citizens and not be anchored in religious dogma."

" 'The court has reaffirmed religious liberty,' said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. 'The justices reminded us that religious groups are free to marry whomever they choose, but civil law cannot be based on any group's theology." ₆

"The opinion in Varnum v. Brien is an important victory for all who value equality under the law, as well as for those who oppose efforts to enshrine religious prejudice into law."

Last year the Center for Inquiry's legal department filed a joint amicus brief in Iowa Supreme Court defending the lower court's exclusion of junk-science, in the form of purported 'expert' opinions by conservative religionists and other pseudo-scientists. These so-called 'experts' claimed to have scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge about alleged dangers of same-sex marriage. In reality, the 'experts' included religious studies scholars, a historian with ties to a conservative religious advocacy group, and a self-described expert in 'technoscience' who admitted to relying in her 'moral intuitions' and 'examined emotions' to reach her conclusions. The district court found that the state's proffered 'experts' lacked the appropriate experience or training in the relevant fields of social science, child development, psychology, or psychiatry to support their opinions. CFI and other friends-of-the-court argued that the district court properly excluded the junk science, which amounted to mere personal opinion disguised as scientific evidence. The state opposed CFI's arguments, with assistance from attorneys at the Alliance Defense Fund, an anti-gay Religious Right organization based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Astonishingly, the Iowa Supreme Court found that the district court should have admitted the disputed testimony as relevant opinion on 'legislative' and 'constitutional' facts, to which the formal rules of evidence do not apply. Happily, however, the junk science appears to have had little influence on the Iowa Supreme Court's ultimate decision. Considering all evidence before it, the Court unanimously rejected the purported experts' opinions:

'Much of the testimony presented by the County was in the form of opinions by various individuals that same-sex marriage would harm the institution of marriage and also harm children raised in same-sex marriages. . . . Almost every professional group that has studied the issue indicates children are not harmed when raised by same-sex couples, but to the contrary, benefit from them. In Iowa, agencies that license foster parents have found same-sex couples to be good and acceptable parents.' 

The Court declared that in light of the total evidence, the district court's exclusion of the purported expert testimony 'is of no consequence' under the Court's standard of review. ₉

"I rejoice at the Supreme Court?s unanimous decision to affirm the rights of same-sex couples to marry. This ruling, based on the equal protection guarantee in the Iowa constitution, recognizes the necessity for equal treatment under the law of all citizens. This decision will strengthen committed same-sex couples and their families in Iowa, and bring us one step closer to full legal equality for all Americans. A few days ago Sweden became the fifth European country to recognize the rights of same-sex couples to marry, and Americans can take pride that we continue our climb toward the same goal."

"I want to thank the courageous Iowa justices and to applaud the many Unitarian Universalists who have worked tirelessly for marriage equality. The plaintiffs Sean Fritz and Tim McQuillan were married in the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines by Rev. Mark Stringer. I am proud that a Unitarian Universalist congregation honored the commitment of these two exceptional young men and supported them in their marriage and in their struggle for legal recognition."

"Today we celebrate, but we know that the struggle for marriage equality is far from over. Until all of our nation?s marriage statutes are free of discrimination, the Unitarian Universalist Association will stand on the side of love and advocate for full legal rights for committed same-sex couples." ₁₀

"I am very proud of Iowa and the fact that we can enable ALL people the same rights under the law. I still cannot see how this affects 'straight', 'normal' marriage. Nothing was taken from them and nothing additional was afforded to gay couples. The only real change is that now all loving couples have the same rights and responsibilities (yes, responsibilities) that before were reserved for "straight" couples. Congratulations Iowa on becoming a leader in human rights and equality."₄

"For the first time in a long time I am not ashamed of being in Iowa. You know the funny thing is -- Christians must have very weak families if same-sex marriage could destroy them. Personally, my family is intact and doing wonderful and celebrating this wonderful moment for all our same-sex friends! YAY! As far as Iowa becoming a Mecca of marriage -- well, um the state could certainly use the boost in tourism dollars!"₄

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