Photo courtesy of flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/99491151@N00/600676556/">courthouselover</a>.
During caucus season, the saying goes, “As Iowa goes, so goes the nation,” which was true for Barack Obama after his win the Iowa kick-started his presidential campaign last year, and in three weeks, Iowa will be the first state in the Midwest to allow gay couples to get married. Though, given the confusion the rest of the country has about the vowel-heavy fly-over states, Ohio and Idaho will probably get some credit too. (The capital of Iowa is Toledo and it is known as the great potato state, right?)
This morning’s decision follows years of legal back and forth. In 2005, six gay couples sued Polk County Recorder Timothy O’Brien for denying them marriage licenses. The Polk County District Judge ruled in favor of the couples last year, but the ruling was stayed until the Iowa Supreme Court could review the law.
The excitement around the courthouse this morning was palpable and happy couples and supporters cried and cheered. Mary Hicks, a long time advocate and hopeful bride, described the scene as “amazing.” Disappointed conservatives slunked off
with their signs to wait and see what would happen with the decision once it reached the legislature. Though, according to the New York Times, advocates don’t believe there will be any immediate cause for overturning the decision. And, as Iowa has no residency requirement for marriage licenses, there may be a flutter of May-brides and grooms this spring serving pork tenderloins and sweet corn on their reception buffets.
