Justice For Iowa's Gays?

If Iowa's Supreme Court metes out justice in interpreting the law, tomorrow morning will be a banner day for the rights of gay couples living in Iowa. If the Court rules in favor of equality, Iowa would join Massachusetts and Connecticut in allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry (Vermont currently allows civil unions). The decision that is due to be announced by down will say that gay couples have the right to marriage the same as other adults of consensual age.

According to an AP wire story:

Court officials today announced they plan to post the justices' opinion at the iowacourts.gov Web site at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

During oral arguments last year, attorneys arguing the same-sex marriage case before the high court framed the Varnum v. Brien case as one that pitted the ability to draw reasonable boundaries for society against infringing on the rights or a minority group.

At issue is a Polk County District Court ruling in a lawsuit brought by six same-sex couples that found the current state law unconstitutional. It defines marriage as only between a man and a woman.

In seeking to overturn the district judge's decision, Assistant Polk County Attorney Roger Kuhl told the justices the basic societal underpinning of traditional marriage and family procreation would be undermined if they affirmed the 2007 district court ruling.

Conversely, Dennis Johnson, an attorney representing six gay and lesbian couples who brought suit after their 2005 marriage license applications were denied, said his clients were seeking the freedom of choice and marriage equality promised under Iowa's constitution.

According to One Iowa, "Rallies are currently being planned in the following cities: Ames, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Decorah, Des Moines, Iowa City, Grinnell/Newton, Mason City, Quad Cities and Sioux City. Pending support from local organizers, additional cities may be added in the future. If you'd like to help organize a rally in your community, mark the check box on the sign up page or email organize@oneiowa.org."