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

Editorial: Economic Reasons for the Freedom to Marry

A committee of the Minnesota House of Representatives will hold a hearing Monday on three separate visions for extending greater rights to gay and lesbian couples. It marks the first time a legislative body in Minnesota has taken such an affirmative look; past discussion has sought only to constitutionally prohibit marriage equality.

Five states currently extend marriage rights to gays and lesbians, and they’re better off for it. Many Minnesotans, for example, are making the short journey south to wed in Iowa. A UCLA study last year estimated that Iowa’s state budget is getting a $5.4 million annual bump from marriage equality-derived tax receipts. This number doesn’t include the indirect boost to local businesses across the state.

Four Iowa Democrats join push for vote on Freedom to Marry

Four Democratic state senators — Dennis Black of Newton, Keith Kreiman of Bloomfield, Rich Olive of Story City and Joe Seng of Davenport — broke with their party and signed on to a Republican petition to force a vote on marriage equality.

But with last week marking the first self-imposed legislative “funnel week” deadline for bills to clear committee to stay eligible for consideration this year, the marriage amendment is officially dead, at least in this form.

167 Iowa Faith Leaders Back the Freedom to Marry

Over 160 Iowa faith leaders held a news conference on Tuesday, saying they supported the freedom to marry and disagreed with those who cite the Bible in raising objections.

See All »

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.