Iowa Ban On Gay Marriage Struck Down

by Todd Beeton, Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 01:55:37 PM EDT

A Polk County judge on Thursday struck down Iowa's law banning gay marriage.
The ruling by Judge Robert Hanson concluded that the state's prohibition on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and he ordered Polk County Recorder Julie Haggerty to issue marriage licenses to several gay couples.

The next step is an appeal by the county to the Iowa Supreme Court. The question is whether the court order to grant marriage licenses will be stayed pending that appeal or if it will be allowed to stand (I'd guess the former.) But either way, as Marc Ambinder says:

Meet your next issue, presidential candidates.

The Republicans' responses won't be difficult to divine, of course. In fact, they'll probably trip over themselves to be first to call it a gross example of judicial activism. How the Democrats respond on the other hand could get interesting. Certainly all candidates but Gravel and Kucinich have opposed gay "marriage," offering full support for civil unions instead, yet some have also said it should be up to the states. Hey, Iowa's a state. But in the end, they'll likely hide behind the old "the courts need to sort it out" delay tactic, although if someone really wants to make news and break through that top tier, offering unequivocal support for the decision might be a good place to start.

Tags: 2008 Presidential election, Gay Marriage (all tags)

Comments

6 Comments

Sort by

permalink

Re: Iowa Ban On Gay Marriage Struck Down

Hmm, that may be interesting. It has certainly been disappointing to see none of the "serious" candidates supporting equal rights for gays

by Max Fletcher 2007-08-30 02:27PM | 0 recs

permalink

As a MA resident who lived through the same thing

and as one who is pro gay marriage I will say that the period whereby same sex marriage actually takes place will be illuminating for the vast majority of moderate to conservative voters - the sky won't fall

I would urge all Iowans who believe in gay marriage or marriage equality to contact the people who ran Mass Equality - they did a phenomenal job really highlighting who the people are who will take advantage of "gay marriage" - just ordinary Americans who love each other and want the same rights as everyone else - but their personal stories are compelling.

It was effective. My mother lives in Senior housing( she's pro gay marriage) by the time MA Legislature got around this spring to voting the vast majority of her friends and neighbors in the complex had "come around". It is completely a non issue now and I attribute that to the fact that gay marriage was allowed, the sky didn't fall, and Mass Equality as an organization was really good at mobilizing support.

by merbex 2007-08-30 03:46PM | 0 recs

permalink

Re: Iowa Ban On Gay Marriage Struck Down

This is the last thing the Democratic Presidential candidates need to deal with before the general election.

by hwc 2007-08-30 07:24PM | 0 recs

permalink

Re: Iowa Ban On Gay Marriage Struck Down

we can't deal with it in 2007 because of the Presidential election. we can't deal with it in 2008 because of the Presidential election. we can't deal with it in 2009 because of the midterm election. we can't deal with it in 2010 because of the midterm election. we can't deal with it in 2011 because of the Presidential election. we can't deal with it in 2012 because of the Presidential election...

by johnny longtorso 2007-08-31 04:02AM | 0 recs

permalink

Re: Iowa Ban On Gay Marriage Struck Down

That's what I'm saying. Watch the gay marriage issue to start popping up all over the place like in 2004. The 08 elections are just too important to be drown the toilet over this one issue.

by AnthonyMason2k6 2007-08-31 12:21PM | 0 recs

permalink

Liberty and Justice for All?

This gives the Democrats a good chance to claim that they are the party of American values.

Are Democrats willing to honor the pledge to the flag?

Are Democrats willing to stand up for the proclamation on the Liberty Bell? It's from the Bible, Leviticus 25:10:

Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof;

That includes liberty and justice for all for a woman to be free to decide with her doctor about an abortion.

That includes liberty and justice for all for people living in the same household to have the same rights and benefits as others living in the same household.

That includes the right for people to use medical cannabis prescribed by their doctor for their health and happiness without the federal bureaucracy seeking their destruction.

Are Democratic candidates willing to claim that they are the candidates of American values? And will they uphold, defend, proclaim and promote the American values of liberty and justice for all?

by Hempy 2007-08-30 08:02PM | 0 recs