I was born and reared in Iowa, earned a journalism degree from Iowa State University and worked 10 years for an Iowa daily newpaper. I spent about 35 years living in the state. There were times I was embarrassed to be an Iowan because of the state’s lack of progress in some areas of social development.
But today this ex-Iowan salutes the Hawkeye state for the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling made public Friday to overnturn the 1998 ban on gay marriage. In three weeks, that state joins Massachusetts and Connecticut as states where the marriage between two loving adults, regardless of gender, will be legal. The 69-page decision, some are saying, is consistent with a state that has, in fact, been out in front on Civil Rights. The justices found that the state law restricting marriage to between a man and a woman violated Iowa’s Constitution.
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone announced his office will not ask for a rehearing, which is permitted for 21 days. “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. As one would predict, conservatives greeted it with a we’re-going-to-hell lament. “It’s a perversion, and it opens the door to more perversions,” said the Rev. Keith Ratliff Sr., pastor of Main Street Baptist Church in Des Moines.
Certainly they’ll hammer the Legislature to pass new laws and try to get a public referendum to reverse what’s happened, much as what occurred last November in California where the state’s high court legalized gay marriage, only to see it overturned by a state proposition whose campaigns, pro and con, set records for spending.
The Iowa Court upheld an August 2007 decision by Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson, who found that a state law allowing marriage only between a man and a woman violates the state’s constitution rights of equal protection.
This decision and liberal civil union rules in New Jersey, New Hampshire and Vermont, what was started in California and what now exists in these three states create a critical mass for a stronger movement that won’t be stopped. Iowa doesn’t require a residency rule — just a three-day waiting period — for marriage, so you can expect many couples, in Middle America especially, will take advantage of the new change.
Amen to these words from the Supreme Court: “We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important government objective. The Legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justication.”
I am so proud of Iowa. I sent congratulatory e-mails to friends in Iowa today to laud them for having a state that is leading the way.
When America’s heartland recognizes the inequality that has been sanctioned for all these years, then it’s only a matter of time for the rest of the country comes around. Thank you Iowa!
You’re a jackass Griffins.
When America tosses God’s word asunder as it has especially recently then we are all in for trouble and heartache. Thanks Arizona for standing up to the liberal media and its brainwashing of America to think that homosexual marriage is normal. Let’s push for a constitutional amendment against it!
Let me get this straight, you’re a religious columnist and you’re on the opinion pages of the trib and you don’t hate gays…? Sir, obviously you didn’t get the memo that opinion columists for the trib are only supposed be right wing hacks. Take your logic and common sense back to the religion section before this paper grows up and becomes something worth reading. Now back to our regulary scheduled right wing opinion article about gay illegals who smoke pot and want to take your guns away.
Ty says: When America tosses God’s word asunder
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Tell me Ty, do you stone your children to death when they are disobedient, or did you “toss out God’s word”?
The city council in Washington D.C. voted last week to recognize same-sex marriage, putting the issue one step closer to a vote at the U.S. Capitol. The D.C. Council’s vote came just as Vermont became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and after the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
However, that could soon change. Last year, California’s high court legalized gay marriage, but voters overturned that ruling by vote in the November election.
California and Arizona are among forty-four states that have passed legislation defining marriage as one man and one woman, with such wording in their constitutions.
The U.S. Supreme Court has never addressed the question of same-sex marriage. But as the approval of same-sex marriage in states came from the courts, judges and legislatures are aggressively working to undermine the institution of marriage as solely between a man and a woman.
Former Iowan Lawn Griffiths is very excited about Iowa high court’s ‘gay marriage’ ruling . . . Iowa’s Supreme Court may have legalized gay marriage, but that doesn’t mean the state’s citizens have accepted it.
Because the will of the people, and Iowa Senate who is not standing in the way of allowing the people a chance vote, the issue certainly will become central a constitutional ban on gay marriage in the 2010 state election.
Despite recent gay rights backers victories on same-sex marriage in Vermont and Iowa, change is not imminent in other states.
I commend Lawn on this article/blog. The last time I checked, there is supposed to be a separation of Church & State. Please clarify for me how Brittney Spears can legally marry a person in Las Vegas, however, the very next day she seeks a legal divorice due to her “mistake” in judgement. Ellen was recently married to Portia in California, however, their marriage was voided after last November’s election. Jesus spoke directly against divorice in the Gospels but nothing about homosexuality! Does any person know how many “Christians” out there are legally divoriced? I don’t, but I am sure there are quite a few. Maybe we should quit pointing out the dust in other people’s eyes remove the log of wood in our own. Also, maybe we should go back to Scripture and start practicing slavery again and not allow women to own property and vote. Be careful what we ask for….history has proven that it repeats itself.
Ashton: The Bible doesn’t speak out against homosexuality? Go back and read it again. Romans 1 is just one of many examples of how the Bible is very clear on the sin of homosexuality.
Brenda, If you read the Gospels, Jesus does not speak anything about homosexuality….(Romans) is NOT in the Gospesl. However, Jesus does speak AGAINST divorice and condemns it! The “Bible” and what Christ says do not always parallel. I go with what Jesus says in the Gospels. Anyone who wants to override the Gospels…that is their choice. “Love your God with all of your Heart. Love your neighbors as yourself.” BTW, please know your audience befor assuming one does not have an academic education in Scripture instructed by a certified “Catholic” theological institute.
Obiously, the state of Iowa is not overrun with the cult from Salt Lake City. Lucky them!
I’m LDS and on principle we define marriage as a union between man and wife. Ashton is correct in the scriptures speaking of divorce. It is not something to be taken lightly and it is far too abused in the world today, including in my own faith. I understand there is a fundamental difference in many people regarding this issue and I’m willing to accept it as such. As I stated my stance on gay marriage, I would be against it, but it does not mean in any way I hate gays or even gays that have married legally. Matter of fact, I don’t even “dislike” them. I see people sinning against my beliefs everyday, and frankly I myself fall short and need to humble myself and reapply my beliefs. This doesn’t mean I dislike or hate all the other people who i see sin. Why does there have to be “hate” talk involved in these discussion by so many people (not all). Why can’t both sides have intellectual discussions without calling the other party a “cult” in a derogatory manner or “gay hell bound” people on the other side? My personal belief is that those on both sides who use this type of language and hateful mindsets are who are pulling our society down.
public marriage records search…
Even the gurus will agree with what is being said here. I am glad I found it….