Countdown to Iowa Marriage Equality

April 5, 2009 in Same-Sex Weddings with 8 Comments

Friday was a big day for supporters of marriage equality. That was the day the Iowa Supreme Court handed down its ruling in a four-year court battle, upholding a lower court decision declaring that a state law banning same sex marriage violates constitutional rights to equal protection.

Iowa lawmakers have “excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification,” the justices wrote.

To issue any other decision, the seven justices said, “would be an abdication of our constitutional duty.”

The county attorney who handled the defense case has said he does not intend to seek a rehearing. That means the only way to change this decision would be a Constitutional amendment. There are no known plans to do that during the current legislative session or the next, and the earliest such an amendment could reach public ballots is 2012.

In the meantime, Iowa same sex couples can expect to be issued marriage licenses as early as April 24.

At a news conference announcing the decision, plaintiff Kate Varnum, 34, introduced her partner, Trish Varnum, as “my fiance.”

“I never thought I’d be able to say that,” she said, fighting back tears.

Congratulations to Kate and Trish. Save a slice of cake for me.

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8 Responses to “Countdown to Iowa Marriage Equality”

  1. Nariya April 5, 2009 at 12:28 pm #

    WOOOO!

  2. Twistie April 5, 2009 at 12:32 pm #

    Yeah, that’s kind of how I feel about it.

  3. un-bride April 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm #

    Hooray! And congrats to those two beyond gorgeous brides.

    Never thought I’d think Iowa was more progressive than my home state of CA. Strange days.

  4. Katie April 5, 2009 at 8:45 pm #

    Fantastic news! Now if only Australia would follow suit…

  5. Dr.FabulousShoes April 5, 2009 at 10:38 pm #

    I’m so happy to see Manolo for the Brides pick this story up – the first on my traditional wedding blogs! My financee has known Kate & Trish a long time & this couldn’t have happened to better ladies! But the photos of how happy they were that day are far more beautiful than the one you published. My fiancee & I could not be more proud that they fought for their love & rights and that we will be able to address our invitations to our married friends. I think you should show how beautiful they are.

    Just a thought.

  6. nanny April 5, 2009 at 11:00 pm #

    For the record, those aren’t Kate and Trish–those are soap opera actresses (All My Children, I think). But good golly, they are pretty, aren’t they?

  7. Megan April 6, 2009 at 12:06 am #

    I’m very proud of my home state (IA)! I was very excited when I heard the news….hopefully if it can happen here, it can happen everywhere!

  8. Never teh Bride April 6, 2009 at 9:58 am #

    Right on, Iowa!