Iowa joined Massachusetts and Connecticut in legalizing same-sex marriage on Friday when the Iowa Supreme Court held that a state ban on marriage of same-sex couples is unconstitutional. The court’s decision upheld a previous district court ruling that a state law that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman violated the equal protection rights of gay and lesbians. The lower court ruling followed a lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, representing same sex-couples who were unable to obtain marriage licenses. Although the county attorney’s office claimed that the previous ruling violated the separation of powers and the issue should go to the legislature, it will not seek reconsideration or rehearing of the case. Opponents are left to lobby for a vote on a constitutional amendment.
Same-sex couples in Iowa may obtain marriage licenses beginning on April 24 after the ruling is final.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090403/ap_on_re_us/iowa_gay_marriage
