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