Marriage Equality in Iowa!

COLAGE is thrilled at the news that the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that a ban on same-sex marriages in the US state was unconstitutional. “The Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution,” the justices said in a summary of their decision. The decision was unanimous, 7-0.
The case stems from a 2005 suit filed by Lambda Legal on behalf of six gay and lesbian couples three of whom have children.
Iowa now becomes the third US state to allow same-sex marriages after Connecticut and Massachusetts. The California Supreme Court made marriage accessible to all couples after a June 2008 decision although marriage equality was reversed after the passage of Proposition 8 in November.
“As a native of the Midwest and the daughter of a lesbian mother, I am so proud of the justices in Iowa for affirming the right of all couples who wish to get married to have that choice,” commented Meredith Fenton, COLAGE Program Director. “At COLAGE we know that youth and families are most able to thrive when their families receive the same rights and validation as all families. The Iowa decision will have a positive impact for children, youth and adults with LGBTQ parents not just in Iowa but across the country.”
The Vermont legislature also voted in favor of legalizing marriage for same-sex couples last night, but supporters of equality will need to gather enough votes to override the Vermont governor’s promise to veto the legislation.
To learn more about today’s decision, visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30027685/.