Iowa

In April 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision in Varnum v. Brien in favor of the freedom to marry, bringing marriage equality to America's heartland. Iowa was the third state to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. Gay couples are able to get married since April 27th.

The Court continued Iowa's history of leadership in civil rights, which includes being among the first to eliminate the ban on interracial marriages, recognize the rights of married women, and desegregate schools.

In 2005, the case seeking to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage was filed on behalf of six couples seeking to marry in Iowa. At the same time, a public education campaign was launched to educate Iowans about why marriage equality matters for all Iowa's families.

  • August 2007: The Iowa District Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples access to marriage. The opposition filed for an appeal and a "stay" on the decision the next day which were granted.
  • December 2008: Oral arguments were heard before the Iowa Supreme Court.
  • April 2009: Iowa ends gay couples' exclusion from marriage.

Status: Marriage

Groups Actively Working on Marriage

One Iowa: works for GLBT equality in Iowa through voter identification, grassroots organizing and educational events

Lambda Legal: filed the Iowa case and has information about the couples involved and all the court documents

Blog Posts Related to Iowa

Vander Plaats seeks to inject politics into the Iowa judiciary

One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison released the following statement today in response to an announcement by Bob Vander Plaats that he will launch a campaign to unseat three Iowa Supreme Court Justices.

The three Justices were part of the 7-0 unanimous ruling that cleared the way for the freedom to marry in Iowa.

Equality supporters outnumber anti-gay NOM as it stays in the parking lot in Sioux City

As NOM’s Summer for Marriage tour made its 15th stop today in Sioux City, Iowa, 53 NOM supporters gathered in a parking lot (for the third time on this tour!) for yet another “One Man, One Woman” marriage rally.

Summer for Marriage goes to Iowa

NOM did its best to promote anti-gay discrimination in Des Moines but managed to attracted only 87 people against the freedom to marry.

Des Moines was the first of two stops on NOM’s anti-gay bus tour.

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Resources Related to Iowa

Iowa Marriage FAQ

Answers to the most commonly asked questions about same-sex couples getting married in Iowa.

Key Quotes from the Iowa Supreme Court’s Unanimous Decision in Varnum v. Brien

Key excerpts from the court decision.

The Impact on Iowa’s Budget of Allowing Same-Sex Couples to Marry

Same-sex couples marrying in Iowa will bring an estimated $5.3 million boost to the state's budget each year.

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