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Linda · Posted: 3 Apr 2009, 9:52 am Post subject: Victory in the Iowa court

I just read the good news that the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled unanimously--hurrah!--that same-sex couples are entitled to the same right to marriage as heterosexual ones. The decision read in part that “the language in Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman must be stricken from the statute, and the remaining statutory language must be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage.”

Congratulations to Katherine and Patricia Varnum and the other couples who brought the suit, and kudos to the court!
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Linda

gennee · Posted: 3 Apr 2009, 2:00 pm Post subject: Congrats

I read about a short time ago. Seems that the states least likely to advance lgbt causes are doing so.

Gennee

Linda · Posted: 4 Apr 2009, 1:27 pm Post subject:

I am disappointed by the statement issued by the White House regarding the Iowa case. It states that "The President respects the decision of the Iowa Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage. Although President Obama supports civil unions rather than same-sex marriage, he believes that committed gay and lesbian couples should receive equal rights under the law."

Gay and lesbian couples surely cannot "receive equal rights" if the right to marry is not among them. Let us hope that the president soon comes to recognize that there is no such thing as less than full equality.
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Linda

JayJay · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 79 Interests: gay history

I am also very disappointed in Obama's lukewarm response. For such a graceful man, this statement lacks grace and fails to appreciate the significance of the moment for a group that overwhelmingly supported him.

He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago. How could he not respect the decision of the court, especially since it is so well reasoned and supported? To emphasize his preference for civil unions at this moment is insensitive, particularly since he does not say anything about any plans to actually achieve civil unions in the 40-odd states that do not offer them.
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Jay