Today, the Iowa State Supreme Court ruled that outlawing gay and lesbian marriage was unconstitutional within the state. The ruling was unanimous. According to the Court:
“In a unanimous decision, the Iowa Supreme Court today held that 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 decision strikes the language from Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman. It further directs that the remaining statutory language be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage. Todays ruling resolves an action brought by six same-sex couples who were refused marriage licenses by the Polk County Recorder. Except for the statutory restriction that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, the twelve plaintiffs met the legal requirements to marry in Iowa. ”
Moron (and of course, Republican) representatives in Iowa now say they will fight the ruling by trying to pass a disgusting and bigoted anti-marriage amendment to the state’s Constitution similar to the one ignorant and bigoted Floridians passed back in November. But Democrat Matt McCoy (who is openly gay) said Iowa will not turn back the clock on civil rights for gay citizens and Democrats (who hold the majority in Iowa’s House and Senate) will fight the Republicans head-on to ensure equality for all Iowans remains. Here is McCoy’s video press release from today: