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culture
Iowa Clears Way for Gay Marriage (Really? Iowa?)
The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled Friday that a 1998 law which limited marriage to a man and a woman was unconstitutional, stating that same-sex marriages may begin in Iowa in as soon as three weeks.
Tonight I happened to attend a dinner with a professor from the University of Iowa. He told me that when he heard about the decision on CNN, he was more surprised that his state was making national news than to hear that gay marriages would soon be legalized.
A lot of people, he said, misjudge Iowa. So it's not a rural state with a lot of corn, wondered one of my dinner mates. Yes, it is, he said. But it's also the state that helped propel Barack Obama to the presidency. In January 2008, Obama won Iowa's Democratic caucus, and many political commentators saw his win in Iowa as a sign he could win the country. Obama won the state of Iowa 10 months later in the general election.
In this context, it's not as surprising that this state smack dab in the middle of the Midwest will become only the third state in the country, following Massachusetts and Connecticut, to permit gay marriage. (Of course, California's decision to allow gay marriage was overturned in November.) The full text of the Supreme Court's decision can be read here.
Lambda Legal, an organization that works to gain civil rights for lesbians, gay men and people with HIV/AIDS, filed a lawsuit in 2005 with Iowa's Polk County Court on behalf of six same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, with the argument that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates liberty and equality guarantees in the state's constitution.The Iowa Supreme Court opinion states that the legislature enacted a law that excluded gay and lesbian people from marriage, the executive branch of the state enforced the law by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and the judicial branch had the responsibility to determine if the law violates the Iowa Constitution. The Court decided that it did.
"A statute inconsistent with the Iowa Constitution must be declared void, even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated beliefs and popular opinion," the court's opinion read.
A poll taken in February 2008 showed that 62 percent of Iowans believed marriage should only be between a man and a woman, while 32 percent said they believed same-sex marriage should be allowed, the Des Moines Register reported. Six percent were unsure.
Once gay marriages are allowed, 21 days following the Supreme Court's April 3 decision, it seems likely that gay marriage will remain a right in Iowa for several years, since a constitutional amendment banning it would require the state legislature to approve the ban during two consecutive sessions, and then the voters would be asked to weigh in, the New York Times reported. A CNN report stated that the earliest the issue could get on a ballot would be 2012.
Iowa has no residency requirement for getting a marriage license, so people from other parts of the country might be making their way to the Hawkeye State to get hitched.
In other Midwestern news this week, the University of Notre Dame rejected students' petition to add sexual orientation to the school's nondiscrimination clause.
Who knew there was so much diversity in the Heartland?
Tonight I happened to attend a dinner with a professor from the University of Iowa. He told me that when he heard about the decision on CNN, he was more surprised that his state was making national news than to hear that gay marriages would soon be legalized.
A lot of people, he said, misjudge Iowa. So it's not a rural state with a lot of corn, wondered one of my dinner mates. Yes, it is, he said. But it's also the state that helped propel Barack Obama to the presidency. In January 2008, Obama won Iowa's Democratic caucus, and many political commentators saw his win in Iowa as a sign he could win the country. Obama won the state of Iowa 10 months later in the general election.
In this context, it's not as surprising that this state smack dab in the middle of the Midwest will become only the third state in the country, following Massachusetts and Connecticut, to permit gay marriage. (Of course, California's decision to allow gay marriage was overturned in November.) The full text of the Supreme Court's decision can be read here.
Lambda Legal, an organization that works to gain civil rights for lesbians, gay men and people with HIV/AIDS, filed a lawsuit in 2005 with Iowa's Polk County Court on behalf of six same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, with the argument that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates liberty and equality guarantees in the state's constitution.The Iowa Supreme Court opinion states that the legislature enacted a law that excluded gay and lesbian people from marriage, the executive branch of the state enforced the law by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and the judicial branch had the responsibility to determine if the law violates the Iowa Constitution. The Court decided that it did.
"A statute inconsistent with the Iowa Constitution must be declared void, even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated beliefs and popular opinion," the court's opinion read.
A poll taken in February 2008 showed that 62 percent of Iowans believed marriage should only be between a man and a woman, while 32 percent said they believed same-sex marriage should be allowed, the Des Moines Register reported. Six percent were unsure.
Once gay marriages are allowed, 21 days following the Supreme Court's April 3 decision, it seems likely that gay marriage will remain a right in Iowa for several years, since a constitutional amendment banning it would require the state legislature to approve the ban during two consecutive sessions, and then the voters would be asked to weigh in, the New York Times reported. A CNN report stated that the earliest the issue could get on a ballot would be 2012.
Iowa has no residency requirement for getting a marriage license, so people from other parts of the country might be making their way to the Hawkeye State to get hitched.
In other Midwestern news this week, the University of Notre Dame rejected students' petition to add sexual orientation to the school's nondiscrimination clause.
Who knew there was so much diversity in the Heartland?
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Feed the Republicans to the Lions
6:44PM 6:44PM Apr 6th 2009
Ninnybob..I mean, "ninjiboob" - how does a gay person getting married ruin a straight marriage? If another persons relationship ruins yours, then yours was already in serious danger to begin with. Next excuse for validating your hatred?
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Feed the Republicans to the Lions
6:52AM 6:52AM Apr 7th 2009
emily - some people forget that the purpose of s Constitution is to protect the minority from the majority. Good post by the way.
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moderate
10:04AM 10:04AM Apr 7th 2009
Feed and emily... They have not forgotten, they are still convinced we should be a theocracy. so sad, and so scarey.
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mahalapril
11:21AM 11:21AM Apr 7th 2009
Moderate-I am not talking about promiscuity which is also all about lust.I am talking about the gays whose sexual practices and multiple sexual partners are detrimental to their health and our health. We can't sanitize the gay practice just because they want money by imposing gay marriage on the majority. I supported civil unions but the gays especially the corrupt homo queen Barney Frank, who interfered with the Judiciary body by calling Supreme Court Justice Scalia a homophobe [together with the corrupt lying weasel Chris Dodd responsible for the housing and financial meltdown] are now becoming arrogant,aggressive and violent. Remember they were forced to be monogamous because of AIDS and there was never any love involved. I don't hate gays, I despise them for their hypocrisy,perversion and lusts in trying to destroy and confuse the future of our children and grandchildren by imposing gay marriage on the majority just for their own financial selfish interests and lust. They don't have special rights and they are expendable because they are parasites to the heterosexual and will become extinct in isolation. The next perversion would be then bestiality,after parents marrying children/grandchildren,brothers marrying sisters,brothers marrying brothers and sisters marrying sisters. When will it stop.
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Feed the Republicans to the Lions
6:26AM 6:26AM Apr 18th 2009
"mahalapril 11:21AM Apr 7th 2009 I don't hate gays, I despise them for their hypocrisy,perversion and lusts in trying to destroy and confuse the future of our children and grandchildren by imposing gay marriage on the majority just for their own financial selfish interests and lust."****************** WOAH! You don't call all that hate???? WOW! I would hate to see how you treat people you love! Talk about a parasite? I'm straight and even I see you for what you are. You would probably be the first to club a gay man tied to a fence like Sheppard. Probably gives you an erection thinking about it because that is what sick little minds like yours do. I hope and pray to God that you come across a few "homo queens" like Barney Frank that do to you what you deserve to have done.
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Escalonz
12:51PM 12:51PM Apr 7th 2009
Iowa Clears Way for Gay Marriage
================================
And the sickness continues to spread over the land........
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Escalonz
1:06PM 1:06PM Apr 7th 2009
And the sickness continues to spread over the land....
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mahalapril
3:37PM 3:37PM Apr 7th 2009
Feed the gays to the Talibans.
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dischiklics
2:53PM 2:53PM Apr 7th 2009
Birthing and raising children are no easy tasks for the role model of mothers and/or (with) fathers, or the example of man with woman. What we have here when considering the gays' demands is a group of selfish human beings lacking understanding and respect for that very union of a man with woman which has brought them to their own (family) existence. Government provides for the future wealth of peoples of the nation. (Look how many troops are needed.) Why should the government fund gays the same? Their unions-body to body-is not going to give life. Gays do not naturally fulfill that goal and merely "play house", and therefore are in no way equal to heterosexuals in union or marriage. Why would gays think they are deserving of the same benefits? Heterosexual couples have just reason to be very offended. Gays have deceived one of the opposite sex to get any children they've naturally acquired, and then do not believe in the staple of a child knowing and honoring their roots, or family tree by "coming out", hooking up and exposing the child (children) afterward to the same-sex attraction. Where's the love? That is simply not fair. That's wrong to belittle the distanced natural parent and so, so selfish.
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le dauphin
4:07PM 4:07PM Apr 8th 2009
Idiotic arguement... I know hundreds of STRAIGHT couples who are married... some for 40+ years who NEVER had children... so the ONLY reason for marriage in procreation? What about the LARGE percentage of women who ONLY marry their husband for his money... stays there for 4-5 years then divorces him and gets half... this isn't GREED? So why should straight people be allowed to exploit marriage but not the gays... SEPERATE IS NEVER EQUAL and the MAJORITY of American marriages are SCAMS.
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dischiklics
7:54AM 7:54AM Apr 9th 2009
No, procreation is not the only reason for marriage. The straight couples with no children which you speak of are indeed representing, and respecting the honorable role model examples of man with woman and pledging their dignity in that regard. The example set is to not discriminate against one of each of the sexes in the same bond. Whether those two of opposite sexes imply that notion and glory is another story...Don't even bring up divorce figures. Those are personal issues of the couple themselves--and not of the institutions intended purpose.
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Godfrey
9:13AM 9:13AM Apr 8th 2009
After all the arguments.a man and a woman is the only way to procreate.
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Godfrey
4:39PM 4:39PM Apr 7th 2009
A man sperm and a woman egg is the only way to being a new life.Gays cannot do this, when they can i change my views on equality.
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dischiklics
4:52PM 4:52PM Apr 7th 2009
The legalization of Gay Marriage welcomes Polygamy.
In the eyes of the court and providing for the welfare of children, two married women (or men) with existing children each also have a biological tie with a or more heterosexuals creating those children. If the wed gay couple with children separates or divorces, the custody battle may involve the gays and the biological parental hetero's. There is no logical reason that would dismiss the legalization of polygamy at this point. (Hey I'm for it. In today's economy, who doesn't need the income and protection of assets of a third wheel?) The only ones getting a lot of benefits at this episode of the game are the politicians and lawyers... Wow, are these idiots granting same-sex marriage showing their stupidity and unfair practice of limiting pursuit of life, liberty, happiness and equality in marriage to a select few.
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le dauphin
4:06PM 4:06PM Apr 8th 2009
POLYGAMY IS ILLEGAL YOU IDIOT! Being gay is NOT illegal... Gay marriages will open the door to polygamy just as allowing 16 year olds to drive cars opens the door to dogs driving cars, or allowing women to vote opened the door to babies voting... Comparing apples and oranges... You cannot compare a LEGAL marriage to an ILLEGAL behavior... doesn't work.
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kspserv
5:37PM 5:37PM Apr 7th 2009
I have no problem with who wants to marry who and yes I am a
christian. I will not say being gay is right but, as a true christian
I still love all people. However someone being gay should be the last
thing on our minds, so what, if gay people want to marry, so what, I
dont care, I do care and we all should, black, white, gay or straight
where the country is headed right now. that is what should be on all
our minds. if gays want to marry good luck, but a piece of advice,
marriage is not all its cracked up to be. good luck and prayers to
all.
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Jessica
7:03PM 7:03PM Apr 7th 2009
I think that this is fair. Everyone has the right to be happy and true to themselves. Why should you let this bother you if you are living the life of a heterosexual, why let this bother you? Just live your life, and stop worrying about what other people are doing so much. I support my homosexual brothers and sisters! Who are we to tell ANYONE who to love?
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S
10:50PM 10:50PM Apr 7th 2009
Gay marriage huh? You people do what you have to do. I live in Iowa and I really don't give a damn who you marry, just pay your fair share of taxes and work for a living. As for the rest, live and let live just keep it out of my back yard.
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S
10:55PM 10:55PM Apr 7th 2009
Gay marriage huh? You people do what you have to do. I live in Iowa
and I really don't give a damn who you marry, just pay your fair
share of taxes and work for a living. As for the rest, live and let
live just keep it out of my back yard.
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le dauphin
4:00PM 4:00PM Apr 8th 2009
Wow... I cannot believe how stupid and ignorant Americans STILL are... COME ON PEOPLE WAKE UP!!! Do you REALLY believe that men live in "giant fish". That it rains frogs... every living thing on earth came from ONE man and ONE woman only 10,000 years ago.. that ONE man could gather 2 of EVERY living creature and insect, plant etc and put them on a boat... I mean SERIOUSLY... READ THE DAMN BIBLE... It's a book of FAIRY TALES! END OF STORY!!! There is NO scientific or psychological evidence that ANYTHING that occurred in the bible ACTUALLY happened... GIANTS and all! Now here is what IS scary: Allowing these religious freaks to influence our LAWS! IF we allow them to ban all gay marriage... here is what the "christians" will then start to vote for: Female circumcision... death to all females who are NOT virgins on their wedding days... polygamy (YES, it is in the BIBLE!) Slavery... come on blacks... are you REALLY against gay marriage??? These SAME christians that USE you to vote Republican would JUST AS QUICKLY throw you in chains... The Christians will have MANDATORY fertilization tests... and if you cannot bear children YOU CANNOT GET MARRIED... Women, Are you ready for this one? YOUR MARRIAGE BECOMES VOID ONCE YOU REACH MENOPAUSE? WHY? So your "fertile" husband can "legally" re-marry a younger "fertile" woman. THIS IS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG IF WELL ALLOW CHRISTIANS TO DICTATE OUR LAWS... BE AFRAID BE VERY VERY VERY AFRAID!!! If there WAS a god, he certainly would CRINGE at the sight of what has become "religion." Why don't we go back to human sacrifices and burning witches at the stake... I mean THOSE Christians were only following the "rules" of the so called "bible!"
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