by Peter Joseph Swanson
Member since:
April 13, 2007

Iowa's Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state's gay marriage ban

April 03, 2009 12:09 PM EDT
views: 138 | comments: 54

Iowa is now the the third state where gays can have equal rights because its Supreme Court unanimously stopped bigotry.

Today the Iowa Supreme Court struck the language from Iowa code limiting marriage to only between a man a woman.

"The court reaffirmed that a statute inconsistent with the Iowa constitution must be declared void even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated traditional beliefs and popular opinion"

Richard Socarides, an attorney and former senior adviser on gay rights to President Clinton, said the ruling carries extra significance coming from Iowa,  "It's a big win because, coming from Iowa, it represents the mainstreaming of gay marriage. And it shows that despite attempts stop gay marriage through right-wing ballot initiatives, like in California, the courts will continue to support the case for equal rights for gays," he said.

The Rev. Keith Ratliff Sr.,said, "It's a perversion and it opens the door to more perversions. What's next?"

 

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Comments: 54

Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 12:10pm EDT
Now when it is Minnesota's turn ???
Kathy D. Apr 3, 2009, 12:11pm EDT
Good!
1.WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! YEAH! SHAZAAM!

2.Rev. Keith needs to shut his piehole!

3.Minnesota here we come!
Marci M. Apr 3, 2009, 12:14pm EDT
Thats great news!
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 12:15pm EDT
Rev Keith is a nasty stupid whacked-out bigot.
Mark Jepsen Apr 3, 2009, 12:15pm EDT
Conservative Iowans are heading in panicked droves to find whichever mercantile can offer them protective undergarments and breathing masks capable of fending off the dreaded homosexual plague! (I'm ashamed to acknowledge that one of Iowa's most conservative Senators was a distant relation to me... I know this only because he spelled his last name the same, and I've been told that pretty much guarantees were related over here. However, I'm trying to get DNA samples to disprove this assumption.)
Mark Jepsen Apr 3, 2009, 12:15pm EDT
No... wait! Not those kinds of DNA samples!
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 12:19pm EDT
Conservatives in Iowa can now blame gay marriage for when their State is sucked deep into the crust of the Earth by an angry punishing God (watch out folks - now that this has happened He's soon to have a royal Poseidon-like tizzy fit).
Kerrell g. Apr 3, 2009, 12:20pm EDT
I agree... Rev. Keith should read his Bible instead of thumping it!
☆ Æ’åitÄ¥ ☆ Apr 3, 2009, 12:22pm EDT
Yay!
Angela A. Apr 3, 2009, 12:23pm EDT
The perversion is idiots who think they can tell people what to do or how to feel.
Or who they can marry.
End of story.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Apr 3, 2009, 12:30pm EDT
Regardless of how anyone feels about the concept of gay marriage or how many state laws prohibiting it get passed by popular vote, the fact remains that, in the end, the courts will HAVE to strike them down because they violate the basic tenent of one of the primary assertions of both our Declaration of Independence AND our Constitution that EVERYONE is "equal" and should be treated the same under the law.

Eventually, anti-gay marriage laws will be seen much as Jim Crow laws from the 30s, 40s and 50s are seen now: Blatant violations of a certain group's Constitutional rights based upon reason/reasons that have nothing to do with their legal standings as individuals. Discrimination is discrimination no matter WHICH GROUP you seek to discriminate against and, as such, is a violation of our most revered and sacrosanct document.
Maybe Rev Keith needs to experience the benfits of a ball gag.
William Dotani Apr 3, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
So are you and the Rev. Keith Ratliff Sr., buddies? Maybe share a box of wine and go bowling. Don't forget to bring him flowers. He likes roses with lots of thorns, but I don't think it's an S&M thing so you don't need to wear Old English Leather.

I don't care what people do as long as they are good citizens.
Teresa A. Apr 3, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
I don't think Minnesota will do this anytime soon. At least not until you can buy liqour or a car on Sundays. Still way too conservative around here.
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
yeah
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 12:36pm EDT
Boy did Jean Teensy Odd F say it good !!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Apr 3, 2009, 12:40pm EDT
Thank-you, Peter. I appreciate the compliment. :o)
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 12:56pm EDT
REAL good !!!
Sheryl L. Apr 3, 2009, 1:12pm EDT
I am so proud to be an Iwegian today!
Sheryl L. Apr 3, 2009, 1:13pm EDT
I had a humanitys teacher say once that to deny that there is a diff way to live is to deny your own rights.
Sheryl L. Apr 3, 2009, 1:20pm EDT
I am so tired of the government, or other organizations, coming into my house and telling me how to live. I can't smoke, drink, cuss, spank my kids, or die when I want to. I can't marry who I want if that person is the same sex. I say its none of their business.
Sheryl L. Apr 3, 2009, 1:21pm EDT
Oh ya, no porn either, lol!
Marge H. Apr 3, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
Dropping off a ten and a page view. By the way not all conservatives are against gay rights. I'm a conservative and I support gay rights.
Rob Appell Apr 3, 2009, 2:35pm EDT
YAY! Let's keep the ball rolling. Which state has the gumption to stand up for total equality next?
Jessica S. Apr 3, 2009, 2:43pm EDT
YAY!!!!!!!!!
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 2:56pm EDT
If all conservatives were like Marge then we wouldn't have this problem in America.

Just the conservative Muslim countries would have it.
Lance L. Apr 3, 2009, 3:06pm EDT
As they say in Iowa "About friggin' time."
Vivian P. Apr 3, 2009, 3:10pm EDT
Wonderful news hugs all around
There are gays in Iowa?
Leo Lemmer Apr 3, 2009, 3:19pm EDT
The court decision was unanimous! Actually there are four states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California, and Iowa! Are we becoming more tolerant? And whatis the Bible belt doing.?
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 3:23pm EDT
I'm sure California will have its voted-for-ban tossed out for the same reasons.

The majority can not vote to take away the rights of the minority - that's the whole point of why the Supreme Courts are there.
Poliwonk USA Apr 3, 2009, 3:28pm EDT
It is really sad when a vocal minority can overturn the will of the vast majority.
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 3, 2009, 3:31pm EDT
It's the court's JOB to make sure the vast majority doesn't prevent the minority from having the same equal rights. The courts are to stop nasty bigotry, no matter how popular it is.
Vivian P. Apr 3, 2009, 3:34pm EDT
I have on idea of why the rights of some are in the hands of anyone
I thought this was a free country
Your right Peter
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Apr 3, 2009, 3:58pm EDT
1) Woot! Woot!

2) Who the hell is Rev. Keith? I never heard of this guy.
David Salyer Apr 3, 2009, 4:12pm EDT
It is really sad when Iowa is able to do something that California could not.
louis a. Apr 3, 2009, 4:29pm EDT
good or them.

now we just have to worry about the regular ol supreme court with thomas alito roberts scalia and whomever sides with them......it's not over yet.
Spartan * Apr 3, 2009, 5:32pm EDT
Just goes to show that there ARE progressives in "the heartland"!!!
.* Sandi * Apr 3, 2009, 5:43pm EDT
cool
Marianne R. Apr 3, 2009, 6:01pm EDT
Good!
donna h. Apr 3, 2009, 7:22pm EDT
Never heard of Rev. Keith
dee b. Apr 3, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
I was so overjoyed when I read this earlier on the internet. I was surprised as well, that a state like Iowa, passed this with little fanfare, but yet a state like California can't get it together on the issue. This gives hope that a state like mine (ky) that it may still happen. Being a gay female, who wishes to marry, but for now have to settle for a ceremony of sorts, (which we will be doing this July if all goes as planned). It gives my partner and I hope, that we will one day be able to do more than have a get together to profess our love and committment.
brynn holt Apr 3, 2009, 10:28pm EDT
Well, the reverend so and so and all others in Iowa or anywhere else who have a big problem with it can always move. Like they say, "Like it or lump it". Thanks for posting this to D, D &S.
Charles M. Apr 4, 2009, 12:22am EDT
I don't care one way or the other with the gay marriage issue. But I'll probably start something with this. Does this then mean that polygamist can legally marry as many wives as he wants? Can a person now marry anyone or anything that they want and have it recognized as a legal marriage with all benefits that go with it? Cause doesn't this the open marriage up to anything ?
Elsie Duggan Apr 4, 2009, 2:05am EDT
It amazes me how many gay people want to be married when so many heterosexuals don't bother, isn't that funny? Lots of kids, no piece of paper, so gays why worry, just do your thing, in seven years in most states you are married anyway, well, maybe,
Denise C. Apr 4, 2009, 4:26pm EDT
I was in Maine visiting my family when Vermont became the first state years ago to allow civil unions. You should have seen the celebration!
Krystal Harwell Apr 8, 2009, 9:54am EDT
its not perversion... and no one is the same. Some were born to like the same sex. Should they be punished by us? no! :)
Ali Hussein Lopez Apr 8, 2009, 11:26pm EDT
"Does this then mean that polygamist can legally marry as many wives as he wants? Can a person now marry anyone or anything that they want and have it recognized as a legal marriage with all benefits that go with it? Cause doesn't this the open marriage up to anything ?"

Only a moron would think that. Oh, forgive me, it is you, isn't it Charles?
Ellen B. Apr 16, 2009, 4:16pm EDT
I'm glad to see the decision, now I just wish my state- Ohio; would come into the 21'st century
April H. Apr 16, 2009, 4:34pm EDT
That's great!
MaryBeth W. Apr 23, 2009, 2:46pm EDT
I've never understood this whole "now polygamists can marry" thing. Really, who cares if you're a polygamist anyway? I don't understand why that's illegal. If you can support 10 wives or 10 husbands, who cares! After all, we know the government gives more benefits to unmarried couples than married ones. What special rights are conservatives afraid they won't get? The only thing I can figure is that they'll lose their special rights since, they're only special if noone else gets them!
Jacob Mielke Jun 10, 2009, 2:24pm EDT

Finally! Something good comes from the courts! Go IOWA!

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