Iowa Supreme Court rules that gay marriage ban is unconstitutional
By John Amato Saturday Apr 04, 2009 8:00amThe Iowa Supreme court did its job.
A unanimous Iowa Supreme Court today upheld a lower court ruling that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the equal protection clause of the state's constitution. People For the American Way Foundation, which was amicus in the case, welcomed the decision as a victory for core constitutional and American values.
"The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision is a historic affirmation of equality," said People For the American Way Foundation Interim President Michael B. Keegan. "It’s a joyous day for the Iowa families involved in the case, and for equality advocates in Iowa and across the nation. Congratulations to the courageous couples who challenged unfair and unconstitutional discrimination, and to One Iowa, Lambda Legal, and all their allies. We were glad to support their work in this case."
Keegan urged Americans not to be confused by expected distortions of today’s ruling from opponents of marriage equality.
"Americans rely on independent courts to uphold constitutional principles, and that’s what the Iowa Supreme Court did today," said Keegan. "The Court did its job. This ruling protects Iowa families. And it reaffirms the state’s tradition as a leader in ending historic forms of discrimination."
You can expect one of those constitutional amendments being funded by the religious right coming up next.
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone told the Associated Press that his office won't ask for a rehearing, meaning the court's decision should take effect after that three-week period.
"Our Supreme Court has decided it, and they make the decision as to what the law is and we follow Supreme Court decisions," Sarcone said. "This is not a personal thing, we have an obligation to the law to defend the recorder, and that's what we do."
Advocates against same-sex marriage have said they would likely not appeal a ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. They plan to ask lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment and put the issue to voters.
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Congratulations gay Iowans!
All three of you!
but that's understandable.. and you missed lots of others who've been hiding which is somewhat understandable though not at all wise..
I meant it in jest M&M ;{) I've driven across half of Iowa once on business. I just saw a lot of corn between Omaha and Des Moines.
Get your copy today.
Always the caterer never the bride.
To keep straight family and friends comfortable, do gay marriages conclude with a manly shake of the hands and a clap on the shoulder?
at lesbian weddings...
That's funny, mk
Folks who fight the issue of gay marriage don't really understand the sorrow they bring to good people. A comment often spoken is who will people want to marry next. That's ignorance. Demanding that a gay person go to a psychologist to become straight is equally ignorant.
Those that have been fighting this issue know the sanctity of marriage. They understand the love that it takes to commit to marriage. Demanding that gays live a life without that is cruel.
First off they babble nonsense like marrying a child or an animal (neither are consenting adults).
Additionally, although they think it follows the "slippery slope" argument, it more clearly follows the Argumentum Ad Reductio, the Argumentum ad Absurdio, and the Argumentum ad Ignoracio.
Am I the only one that thinks "slippery slope" sounds sexy?
It's kind of like how in the book Diamonds Are Forever, James Bond thinks American road signs sound erotic, with messages like slippery when wet, and soft shoulders.
That's "Slippery Sloop." That's very moist sex on a cute boat.
...way to bring on sorrow. Their teachings came from the bible. It's all they know is sorrow punishment and plagues.
... you just have to choose to do things the way WE tell you to.
And what the gay couple across the street does by way of their marriage has no effect on the sanctity of mine, which is a covenant between myself, my wife, and God as I understand Him.
Nor does it affect my ability to go to church, say prayers, or express/celebrate my faith.
On the other hand, when a Christian sponsors or supports a Constitutional amendment solely on the basis of overturning a law they don't agree with, it's hypocrisy of the worst kind.
Actually that was Augustine.
I kind of like Johann Scotus Erigenus's Divine Ignorance, which says even God doesn't know what God knows until it happens
Like Jeanne Dixon's prophecies.
And of course Calvinists and Jansinists are more into Predestination, sort of a divine GPS system.
You mean, God, our omnipotent God, cannot premeditate?
That sounds too Asiatic.
premeditation abilities, but I do know it's said God is unable to [Repel chariots of iron] and it looks like now we may add [A woody] too the list of challenging things. :)
Ref. "And the Lord was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron." (Judges 1:19)
Nope... but he can prestidigitate... but not with cards.
That reminds me of the new Google Earth 6.0. It has a time slider button that shows you on the globe where you are now, and where you'll be twenty years in the future.
Wow...I had no idea Calvin was this reflective. Is Hobbes a philosopher too? A huggable furry philosopher can't be anything but a good thing.
Let the GLBT community. Let them adopt foster children who need their love and parenting desperately. Let them concieve children in other ways. Don't force their partnerships and love into the background in order to appease your prejudices.
I wish the GLBT community in Iowa the best, and I pray that straight, religious Iowans don't pull a California on them.
Personally, as a bisexual woman who's not completely decided yet on any marriage, I still believe that the idea I would not be hindered in my decision making based on the gender of my partner would be a very great one.
Gays, or lawyers who will make millions off the divorces?
unadventurous?
Just maybe...
People wouldn't "attack" you so much if you could say ANYthing, anything at all, that didn't smack of cynicism and self-defeat, eh?
I know people like you, in real life. They're always alone because nobody wants to hear the constant negative energy flowing out of their mouth.
So yes, I concede that you have a point, but maybe a "Congrats, gay Iowans! This is a good days for you. But, who really wants...etc etc?"
Or, you know, you can continue to spew the negative crap and be the kid who eats alone at lunch. That'd be too bad. I like some of your ideas, I just never like how you frame them.
I used to eat lunch alone. The other kids didn't know what to make of someone who not only reads, but was reading the movie novelization of Tales From the Crypt whilst eating.
Early on they thought I was occultic, because at 12 or 13 I was reading books on hypnosis, and due to practices in self-hypnosis I was developing a pronounced gaze and habit of wanting to look people in the eyes while we spoke that earned me the nick-name "Evil Eye."
to any of the spiritual paths you've wandered, and your impressive worldly knowledge?
Not worldly enough if you ask me.
I eat lunch alone (in the cafeteria). It's grand. I do crossword puzzles and read the newspaper.
To be honest, I have little interest in most of the babble people think is conversation.
kids were getting into who knows what kind of trouble, I was reading Poe, Dracula, and Frankenstein, or studying the skies with my telescope my Dad bought me when he realized I was buying a lot of old astronomy mags when I was a wee thing.
Still am an oddball, but at least I'm fine with it now, and it's actually paying off in some areas! ;)
[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZMH8tiNMow ] ♥
Annaleigh
From your posts (over the months), I think we'd get on like a house on fire.
What's your sign? No, not a pick-up line. Just curious. (Sag., Cap., or Aries, by chance???) (I'm -cough- "married", sorta, or as close as I seem to get.)
(I'm giggling here. This is just a lark; for fun.)
:D
How could I have overlooked Leos (fire)??? Silly me. I'm an Aries (fire), so I get on with fire and air signs best. My "second" was a Leo and we had great fun!!!
I'm not really "into it much," but my sister is, and I'm astounded how accurate she has been over the years. Remarkable!!!! So, I guess I'm kinda into it.
one on astrology. :) IIRC, I believe my moon was in Scorpio...odd combination, I think.
Element Keywords Signs
Fire -Forcefully- Aries Leo Sagittarius
Earth -Practically- Taurus Virgo Capricorn
Air -Thoughtfully- Gemini Libra Aquarius
Water -Emotionally- Cancer Scorpio Pisces
Water signs "kill" me (fire). On topic. may all the gay Iowans match in their signage. Sorry sitemonitors.
outsider status!
So, to try and get back on topic, I'm so glad for Iowa. To be honest I wouldn't necesarily expect them to be among the states to have legalized gay marriage in one way or another, so it's a nice correction to my thinking!
I don't think outside status is necessarily derailing the thread. Because people often assumed I was gay, I identified with their social problems to a certain extent without being one of the young dudes.
I think that once I found my way amongst the misfits as I got older, people in the groups who were straight were more accepting of GLBT kids than other social groups...so yes, that's an interesting thought.
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 15:39 — Edwin
What you're describing actually goes back to the Elemental Theory of basic Sorcery. Each are Watchtowers, and have symbolic critters, Fire is the salamander, Earth Gnomes and Kobolds (I've found a reference to this in Johann Goethe's Faust), Air is the sylphs and Water is the Undines. They also tied in the Greek healing by humors used clear up to the 18th century.
In the tarot cards they're Fire: Wands, Earth: Pentacles, Air: Swords, and Water: Cups.
I seem to recall having a wall poster of the lunar landscape and the names of the features.
I had the jigsaw puzzle of that (moon). I like all kinds puzzles.
Once high school was over, I began to shine. I hated high school. I was the fairy in gym class, even though I was skilled, they demoralized me with their taunts. I was always very popular with the girls, even the coolest of them, so I got some respect down that avenue. By the end, I came to be liked. I guess people woke up to see a real "class act" (puff puff). (tee he he)
They liked it when we played flag-football. They thought it was hilarious that I had hairy legs at 13, and they always made me the center with very simple instructions: hike the ball between your legs and knock as many of them over as you can before they knock you over. Generally it took about 3 or 4 guys on the other team to bring me down. I'd be running (slowly) with them hanging on, but they'd be slamming my shoulders with their fists until I was brought down.
I'm Taurus born on the cusp with Gemini.
Interesting. Hard on yourself and intellectual. Right?
I don't think it's a whacko science. The moon's gravity influences us. Why not the planets', albeit mose subtly.
I thought I was the only kid who was a fan of Poe.
Of course most kids are fans Dracula and Frankenstein movies but not so much the books.
I branched out and read biographies on Mary Shelley and read some of her other books like The Last Man. To this day I think it's one of the most ripped off books with I Am Legend, and it's film versions The Last Man on Earth and the Omega Man.
I also read Stoker's Lair of the White Worm and my favorite other than Dracula, The Jewel of the Seven Stars.
Have you ever read Dracula's Guest? It's a collection of posthumously published Stoker's work including an excised chapter from Dracula, and a particularly creepy tale called The Judge's House.
That reminds me I had both a telescope and a microscope.
No, I hadn't read that one actually. It sounds really good, and I am going to have to read it! And bump it up on the list of books to read...
me too me too!
Annabelle Lee and her sepulcher by the sea, The beating heart, I still have the NAL edition of my mom's I used to read until I couldn't read anymore. I had to put masking tape on the spine because I wore it out.
Gawd I was a geek. Kids hated me. The only things I lacked were coke bottle bottom glasses and braces, with daytime head gear, or a severe overbite, necessitating same.
I had a microscope too.
I have gone through life being asked about that poem by virtually everyone, lol...
I think I was sent to the principal's office in high school for something or the other, and the main principal and one of his assistant principals asked about it, and soon got me embroiled in a conversation about Poe and Shakespeare. I couldn't even do teenage rebellion without geeking it up! :P
Oh, one of my recent exs whom I knew back in high school once performed the Tell-Tale Heart for our drama club competitions. He's sort of been a lifelong gothic type like myself, so I bet he was a childhood fan too!
miss-kitty
My kinda chick. I make great friends with women. Men are a thorny bunch. But they have all that hotness.
I also had a telescope (didn't misread microscope, just had the other kind-of-scope) and love to read about space and black holes-n-stuff.
PS Now that I'm a teacher, I make sure the geek kids know I'm not overlooking them. They are often really cool and come to talk to me after class. I love it. They seem to like that I notice.
wish I still had my microscope. It was a cheapie, but so cool. Have you read 'Hyperspace' by Michio Kaku? He's a geek too.
I wish I still had my 1933 Remington typewriter. My mom gave it to me when I was a kid, and it's how I taught myself how to type.
I had to memorize Annabelle Lee in high school, but didn't mind. But now I only remember the first line roughly. And of course you're referring to the Tell Tale Heart. My favorite seemed to be Hop Frog, and Pit and the Pendulum, which might've fired my interest in the Inquisition and the methods of torture they used.
Not many use the English language quite as well as Poe.
ybs, all that reading makes you kinda hot too.
I had a weird reaction to Bells. It seemed to annoy me and facinate me at the same time.
I was also a big fan of Poe's Augustus Dupin, private detective in Murders of the Rue Morgue and the Purloined Letter, and The Mystery of Marie Roget.
I also became a fan of German Expressionism and Franz Kafka around 15, and soon thereafter Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf and Narcissus and Goldmund.
Have the complete works (Poe) in my bookshelf. Yet, confess much of it is unread. I'm not a huge fan of his stories, just his use of English. Is that weird?
I keep working at improving my English. We were never taught properly, and I'm afraid I keep many of my old, bad habits. But, I'm trying. It's really very complex. As an ESL teacher, these days I largely focus on pronunciation, intonation, and stress patterns, but have a decent working knowledge of grammar. I confess many areas that need brushing up. It's an endless task, and invigourating.
I have the complete works of Shakespeare, Poe, Sir Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Bram Stoker in one volume each. The problem with this practice is the weight. So I often check out paperbacks from the library by these authors.
And when I was 15 reading Kafka's The Trial and The Castle, that was probably what started my bent toward liberalism.
I think I was born a liberal. My father always dictated conservative talking points, but I rarley bought into them.
He did support Canada's Gay Marriage Act, which seems incongruous, but he's about the money. He's largely a social liberal.
I wsih these talking heads would note, the social fabric of Canada has not been damaged now that we queers can marry. It's a total non-issue now that it's done. And a lot of people are happier.
I love Shakespeare!!!
The scuttlebutt is that William Shakespeare, King James the I, and many men of that period had the attitude of wives for progeny, young men for lovers.
I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to try "having some fun" with another of the same sex. They know all the "right buttons" to push. And it's just sex: rub some bits get a muscle spasm. Alas, we've been brainwashed by the church and the mob.
The upper classes have always had their own peccadilloes, and they have always been accepted (except in the USA/North America.)
I'm afraid as we expand our knowledge, we diminish our minds. I think the world used to be a much more spiritual and rich place, but through the 20th century, we have reduced much thought to rubbish and pedantic formulae.
To me, democracy often represents sinking to the lowest common denominator. This is a problem, as we don't want aristocrats either.
Shouldn't that be peckerdilloes?
Aristotle distrusted democracy and felt it was based on selfish interest with no grander vision.
And Karl Marx said much the same as you in the Communist Manifesto (which I also first read as a teenager, not advisable in Texas.) He said that capitalism puts a price on everything, even religion and family ties.
Interesting stuff to think about (cuz you know that is the kind of stuff I DO think about!!) I'm a bit of a hobby philosopher.
but thanks for the response questioning my "motives".
What's the current divorce rate, and legal monies made off it? As far as I am concerned, all marriage is a total waste of time. Do you need the state and church to confirm your love for another? Why? Tax credits?
As a gay Canadian, able to marry, and not the least bit interested in marriage, I might consider it if it were crucial for healthcare decisions, or pensions etc.
I do, however, think it is essential to have the right, and I'm happy Iowans have that right now. I'm simply a marriage cynic, but if two people love each other, then go for it!!
It's one thing to think that marriage doesn't work, and be pessimistic, it's another thing to support everyone who wants to at least have a go at it!
Like I said further up, I'm not sold yet on it for myself, but there are people who can have a successful happy marriage, and a lot of those people might be gay! :)
Perhaps it's personal experience. I've had three 10-year (+/-) relationships, that were all good, but I "outgrew" them. In each case, I'm happy I was not married.
I was told, I'm "mildly eccentric" this winter. Perhaps I am. I tend to re-invent myself every decade. I'm the "problem"? I just can't stand still. Know what I mean?
Girls always saw me as disinterested in sex, and the guy they approached when they had boyfriend, and later husband and sons problems.
They treated me like a walking encyclopedia by the time I was in my twenties.
And being mustached at 12 and bearded at 15 didn't help any either.
bought the beer...
I did once, but the guys I bought it for came into class soon afterwards dead-drunk, so I avoided it after that.
Thank you, SSB. Here's a reply I made to CC in another thread:
Please, please, please change your handle to "NegativeNellie". Your pissing and moaning is getting seriously tiresome.
your inclusive remark is telling...
Amended: Looking back, I was under the impression that you'd been married at one time? Though I'm unsure.
RE: For God's Sake
By: ConcernedCanuck On Tue, 11/18/2008 - 18:16
Let gays and lesbians marry. They might as well be as suicidal and depressed as the rest of us.
I may be bisexual, feminist, etc. But I still like the idea of marriage. :)
I'm a straight woman who has been with my husband for almost 22 years and married for 20 years. I often tell him that it's the smartest thing that I've ever done and I believe that to be true. He's my best friend and I truly enjoy his company which is why I married him. I think he's still cute as hell, but I truly just enjoy being around him. I wish more people could enjoy a relationship like ours, it's profoundly fulfilling.
My hope is that all who wish to enjoy a recognized, "legal" relationship can do so. My other hope is that those people who have been soured on relationships and marriage may find a partner that can change their outlook.
first paragraph! :) I'm glad you've had such a great marriage. Hopefully we can all find someone to make it work with! :)
I've been on my own since I was 18, a longer time than I care to admit to.
Every now and then I rattle the bars of my cage to no avail.
So who am I to begrudge someone who's lucky enough to find another?
Well, I've had my relationships, and some were really great...for a while. But I've yet to have one that really worked out longterm.
I hear you though, why hold people back, especially people who have solid, loving, relationships from taking their relationships to the next level?
Exactly. Good loving relationships are rare enough. Why make it difficult for people that have found one and really want to marry?
California who've been together since the 50's. To think that some bastards would like to overturn their marriage, and took away the right of other couples like them is intolerable...
Please don't overlook the "Genetics" issue with regard to your position on marriage and its regulatory institutions.
their business just don't be coming on to me I'm not into it.
Just wear a shirt and hat that says "I'm Not Into It"
The gays will understand and stay away from you.
there you go. I know gay people who fortunately understand life is about a lot more then lust and the search for the next one night stand and the by gosh I'm going to convert you if it's the last thing I do on earth! mindset
I just wait until one might hit on me and say, "I'm not gay, I'm just not lucky either."
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 09:47 — Evet
That sounds too presumptious.
Are you saying that gays don't have their own promiscuous among them like straights?
that's the kind of attire that I look for in a marriage partner
Because, of course, ALL GAY MEN are into you...wow...just...wow.
His manhood would be tested if one actually hit on him pauleky. If banks had a nickel every time someone said "as long as they don't hit on me" there wouldn't have been a bailout.
just like all the women the gays are just swarming around you.
OMIGOD! A commenter on Crooksandliars! I must get my hands on you immediately. My manpassion is overwhelming. GOD! I'M LISPING UNCONTROLLABLY!
Do guys come onto you now? Just wondering.
Now Cheezis and Gawd (whose name is love)and the Wholly Spook in their collective capacity of Our Loving Heavenly Father (he has a penis. all the important people do)will be forced to send a Tidal Wave and wreak His Holy Vengeance - drowning men, women and children in His Heavenly Mercy.
A plague of cockroaches with Mexican accents will surely follow, in His Heavenly Wisdom, and they will displace our native cockroaches.
Cheezis His Own Self will ask bin Laden to smite the heretic renegades.
Blarba darba darba (gesticulates)snort weep (fart) (puts on tinfoil hat)
It's a twofer: 1)Justice in Iowa; is Iowa getting back to it's progressive roots?
2) Watching the sanctimonious right-wing snortfest which will immediately follow this program.
A little bit of sanity from Iowa... hopefully other states are listening and will do the right thing too. Who's frickin' business is it anyways whether someone's gay or straight?!
It's incredible how negative the Repiglican reaction to this has been...what the hell are they so AFRAID of? AHA! Maybe it's their own fear that they may be exposed for have a "wider stance" than normal?
This is a great ruling. I hope other states soon follow. It is about time that we get equal rights in this country! I just wished there was not so much gay-bashing still going on in the United States and around the world. The violent targeting of gays and lesbians and transgendered people is sitll alive and well in the USA. Being an "out" person in America can still mean one pays with their life by vicious haters who do use violence on others. I will never get that dog mauling case out of my mind and the fact that those Knoeller's knowingly disliked the lesbian couple down the hall.
I only wish the politicians had the moxy and courage to really, really stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians in this country and elsewhere, instead of the courts always interceding.
I also hope the Obama administration puts pressure on the Iraqi government to stop their execution policy of gays and lesbians over there. The USA claimed to be getting rid of that tryrant Saddam Hussein yet the United States is quite silent on the deliberate execution of gays and lesbians inside Iraq.
That don't-ask-don't-tell applies to occupied countries, too.
Ugh, disgusting.
See how long it lasts before special interests have it overturned.
Tony Perkins and the Mormon Church will mobilize the homophobes and find a way to reverse it.
The Roman Catholic right wing and the Salvation Army Command
But it is a beautiful day in the Midwest, Iowans are to be congratulated for their humanity and progressivity and no one should ever question the wisdom of their causus system again..
And these posts have been a blast to read..
I know alot of y'all are pissed at the Mormons and the part they've played in overturning gay marriage rights, but strangely enough, my being raised Mormon helped give me that outsider status in my school classes, since Texas is very much a Baptist area (or was), and made me more sympathetic for other outsiders like gays.
I remember first running across this in 3rd grade, when this one kid seemed shocked to find out I was a Mormon, and he said his grandma told him Mormons all have horns. I just laughed, and pulled up my hair into horns, and did so the rest of the day whenever he saw me.
So when I hear school prayer advocates saying we need to teach kids to be tolerant of our biases, I recall just how vicious it could get.
wont get anywhere if the homo-homophobes stay home.
If there is a hell Tony Perkins and his ilk are going there for eternity. I understand that is a very long time. Fuck you Tony Perkins!
Who would have thunk. Iowa was the first primary won by President Obama and now Iowa has affirmed gay marriage. They are more liberal that California. They have it more together than New York. they are more on the ball than Oregon. I', moving to Iowa. I hear they have nice farmer girls there.
The law has been found to be unconstitutional, so they're going to offer a constitutional amendment? Am I nuts, can you really have an unconstitutional constitutional amendment?
Note to blog:
If you can get married in almost any community in this Country in a Judges Chambers by a Judge that has NO affiliation with any Church or Religion... then this is NOT a Gay Rights issue... It is a CIVIL RIGHTS issue.
It's about time We The People started treating Women and Gays (etc etc etc) as We The People!
This should be filed under Civil Rights... not something as limiting as Gay Rights.
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