(Des Moines, IA, August 30, 2007) ---- A 63 page decision issued today by the Iowa District Court for Polk County said that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry based on the Iowa Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment under the law. The case was filed by Lambda Legal on behalf of six same-sex couples and their families in Iowa.

COLAGE and our members intimately know that validation and recognition of our families through equal access to the rights and responsibilities awarded through marriage will help make the world safer and more just for all children and families.

"This is a significant step forward in recognizing the constitutional rights of all Iowans, and it's an amazing day for same-sex couples and their families all across Iowa," said Dennis Johnson of Dorsey and Whitney, co-counsel for the Plaintiffs with Lambda Legal.

In his decision, Judge Robert B. Hanson said, "Couples, such as Plaintiffs, who are otherwise qualified to marry one another may not be denied licenses to marry or certificates of marriage or in any other way prevented from entering into a civil marriage pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 595 by reason of the fact that both persons compromising such a couple are of the same sex."

COLAGE Program Director, Meredith Fenton commented, "COLAGE applauds Judge Hanson for affirming what those of us with LGBT parents already know: children and families will thrive when they are equally recognized and protected by law. As someone who grew up in the Midwest who has a lesbian mother, I am particularly pleased to see this advancement in the state of Iowa."

In December 2005, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit with the Polk County Court on behalf of six same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, arguing that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the equal protection and due process guarantees in the Iowa Constitution, and prevents these couples from taking care of each other and their children. Today's decision comes after a hearing in May of this year where both sides made arguments before the court.

The case is Varnum v. Brien. This case now moves forward, and the Iowa Supreme Court will ultimately have the final decision. Learn more about this case.

If you are a youth or adult with LGBT parents who lives in Iowa and might be willing to share your story with the media or courts, please contact Meredith Fenton, COLAGE Program Director.