More Than 360 Same-Sex Couples Apply for Marriage Licenses in Iowa Today

From the Desmoines Register:

"As final numbers come in from county recorders, at least 360 same-sex couples have applied for marriage licenses in Iowa, with the heaviest concentrations in Linn, Polk, Scott and Johnson counties, according to information collected by The Des Moines Register. The tally so far includes 26 out-of-state couples, according to a survey of county recorders. The Register is still gathering its data, but afternoon figures show that the greatest number of applications so far is in Polk County, which has logged 83. Johnson County has seen 40 applications so far, Scott County has seen at least 18, and 40 couples have applied for marriage licenses in Linn County. Today was the first day same-sex couples could since the April 3 Iowa Supreme Court opinion that struck down a state law that said marriage was only between a man and a woman."

Shelley Wolfe, 38, and Melisa Keeton, 31, were the first gay couple in Polk County to marry under the new ruling.

Desmoines Register photo gallery.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Iowa's Speaker of the House Murphy Addresses the State on Marriage Equality

Iowa's Speaker of the House, Rep. Patrick Murphy's letter:

Hello,

Thank you for contacting me about the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality. I’ve received a mountain of emails and phone calls since the ruling, arguing both for and against legislative action, so please accept my apologies for the delayed response.

The 2009 session wrapped up early Sunday morning and I wanted to let you know that we did not take any action in the closing days of session to amend the state constitution or negate the Supreme Court’s ruling. As the session came to a close, I worked to keep the House focused on our priorities of balancing the budget, rebuilding from last year’s natural disasters, and creating jobs for middle class Iowans.

I do want to share with you some of my own thoughts on the ruling. After reading the decision, I agree with the Iowa Supreme Court that state law conflicts with the equal protection clause of the Iowa constitution by denying same-sex couples the same right to marry that heterosexual couples enjoy.

It wasn’t a complete surprise that the court ruled that Iowa’s marriage statute is discriminatory, because this issue has come up in several other states, and two other states have already legalized same-sex marriage.

The ruling has no impact on any religious institution; it simply means that a county recorder cannot deny a marriage license to a same-sex couple. No religious institution will be forced to conduct a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple.
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What surprised me was the unanimous decision by a diverse Iowa high court made up of Democratic and Republican appointees, and by the direct and dispassionate logic of Justice Mark Cady, a Republican appointee to the court and author of the Varnum v. Brien opinion. The unanimous court was unequivocal in its opinion that the Legislature, by enacting a state law that only allows marriage between a man and a woman, has “excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification.” If you haven’t read the opinion yet, I strongly encourage you to do so at www.iowacourts.gov.

In retrospect, maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Though situated in the middle of the heartland of our nation, Iowa has a reputation of fairness and has always been a leader in protecting individual rights and liberties. We freed a slave named Ralph 26 years before the end of the Civil War. We ended segregation in our schools 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the same way and the Iowa high court ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations back in 1873. Iowa was also the first state in the nation to allow women to practice law.

While I do realize some Iowans have a different view, I don’t think we should be in the business of writing discrimination into the Iowa Constitution. It’s a document that argues for equal protection and tolerance of minorities and it’s an approach that has withstood the test of time.

Sincerely,





PS -- If you would like to receive updates from the Iowa House, please click here to sign up for my newsletter.

Contact Information:
House Speaker Pat Murphy
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5566

pat.murphy@legis.state.ia.us

VIDEO: Go to Meet in the Middle 4 Equality!

Q: What is Meet in the Middle 4 Equality?
A: On the 1st Saturday AFTER the California Supreme Court issues its ruling on the Proposition 8 cases -- win or lose -- we are kicking off a statewide and national effort toward full federal equality and we are kicking it off in Fresno, CA.

Q: Why Fresno, CA?
A: Fresno, CA is the heart of Yes on 8 territory. We, the LGBT community and allies, need to show the state, the nation and the world our numbers, strength and unity. We need to show them we will not go away. Everyone, all of us, need to come together for our equal rights.

Q: How do I get there?
A: Go to their RSVP page and use their Meet in the Middle 4 Equality Trip Planner. They will help you with your travel and accommodation. Some cities have buses reserved for the event. Seats are still available for booking. Find out more about buses and planning your trip here!

Don't miss out on this historical event! Go to Meet in the Middle 4 Equality! Spread the word! Stand up for equality!

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR RIDES, CARPOOLS OR MORE OR CAN OFFER RIDES, LEAVE A COMMENT FOR OTHERS UNDER THIS POST! STATE FROM WHERE YOU WILL BE COMING.

UPDATE: Opponents of Marriage Equality Holding Protest in Washington DC Tuesday

UPDATE: Read how this protest has become an utter failure at GoodAsYou.org!

Lots of progress in the Washington DC neighborhood has been made for marriage equality, including the District's potential recognition of same-sex marriages made in states where such unions are legal, but our joy pisses off equality opponents.

The anti-gay groups The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and Stand 4 Marriage are hosting a rally this Tuesday in the nation's capital. The image in the upper left is NOM's graphic for the protest. Notice how they put quotation marks around marriage to imply that even if same-sex couples get recognition, it will never be marriage.

Fearing this progress in DC is a backdoor way to getting federal recognition for same-sex couples, these groups have taken to spreading lies in order to keep progress from being made. Watch this video and see.



With the recent revelation that pioneer Master and Johnson's gay conversion therapy was a fraud, video host Nima is desperate to find something to disparage same-sex marriage.

He says, "Same sex marriage will inevitably prove harmful to children. That's because kids do better emotionally, relationally, and even financially when they are raised in a home with their biological mom and dad."

This has been proven FALSE.

We shouldn't be surprised though. When one's weapons are taken away, one will use pebbles and stones to fight.

ACTION: Embedded below is the flyer for Tuesday's anti-gay rally. If you live in Washington DC or the surrounding areas, counter protest! Also check in with local LGBT group, DC for Marriage for any action items.

Not on My Watch

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Gay Iraqis Tortured, Killed Using Superglue to Close Anus

From GayRightsWatch.com:

This is incredibly disturbing.

A prominent Iraqi human rights activist says that Iraqi militia have deployed a painful form of torture against homosexuals by closing their anuses using ‘Iranian gum.’… Yina Mohammad told Alarabiya.net that, ‘Iraqi militias have deployed an unprecedented form of torture against homosexuals by using a very strong glue that will close their anus.’

According to her, the new substance ‘is known as the American hum, which is an Iranian-manufactured glue that if applied to the skin, sticks to it and can only be removed by surgery. After they glue the anuses of homosexuals, they give them a drink that causes diarrhea. Since the anus is closed, the diarrhea causes death.

Videos of this form of torture are being distributed on mobile cellphones in Iraq.’ According to this human rights activist, for the past 3 weeks a crackdown on homosexuals has been going on based on a religious decree that demands their death; dozens have been targeted. She says that the persecution of homosexuals is not confined to the Shiite clerics. Some Sunni leaders have also declared the death penalty for sodomy on satellite channels.

This has got to stop! With the U.S.'s occupation of Iraq, we are equally responsible for this horrendous violation of human rights and downright sadism. As earlier reported on Unite the Fight, reports of LGBT executions have also taken place in Iraq.

Take responsibility and sign Change.org's petition that will be sent to President Obama and Congress to investigate and put an end to this atrocities.

It only takes a minute. The goal is 2,500 signatures. We need 2,000 more.

Sign it now!

Congratulations! Wedding Bells in Iowa Today!

As a result of the state's Supreme Court ruling, today is the first day that same-sex couples in Iowa can go to their county clerk's office and apply for a marriage license, resulting in historic weddings later this week throughout the state.

Why later in the week? Most couples, after applying, will have to wait at least three days before the actual ceremony, until they get a judge to waive the waiting clause. So, some historical weddings can take place today.

If you wish to congratulate the happy couples, you can One Iowa's virtual guest book that will then be sent to the newlyweds!

Many benefits will be bestowed on the couples as a result of their marriage, including shared employer benefits, streamlined life and other insurance policies, and the ability for couples to make health care and end-of-life decisions for one another.

Unfortunately, as a result of DOMA, federal benefits will be denied, such as spouses in same-sex marriages may not be able to pay health care plan premiums with pretax federal dollars and may not get reimbursed for their spouse’s expenditures from flexible spending accounts for health care.

However, efforts are being made to at least repeal a portion of DOMA that restricts the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages in states where it is legal.

Here's to hope.

For a thorough look at today's celebration (and some opposition), check out Towleroad.

Iowa County Supervisor Says He Will Try to Stand Against Marriage Equality in His County

From LezGetReal.com:

"In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." ~ George Wallace, January 14, 1963

In a last minute attempt to stop same-sex marriages in his county, Jefferson County, Iowa supervisor Stephen Burgmeier says he will attempt to fight the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to allow marriage equality.

“I believe the Supreme Court has over-stepped their bounds, the governor has not done his job and the legislature has not done their jobs,” said Burgmeier.

Burgmeier, a Republican, has drawn up a resolution that he says he’ll present at a Jefferson County board meeting on Monday, which will start at a special time of 7:30 am, requesting the county leave in effect the Iowa Code, that says only marriage between a male and female is valid.

A portion of the resolution reads, “WHEREAS, on April 3rd, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court issued an opinion that is in conflict with that law and Constitution and only applies to Polk County District Court and not to Jefferson County, Iowa.”

Burgmeier believes it’s his job as an elected official to take a stance on the issue and to do something about it.

“There is a law in the books that says in Iowa, a marriage is between a man and woman. It has not been repealed. It is still in effect. The Supreme Court addressed only one case in one county, which was Polk County. So, there are 98 counties out here that we have not had our day in court,” Burgmeier said.

Read the rest of the article at LezGetReal.com.

Read Unite the Fight's post on the Iowa Attorney General's orders to clerks demanding they issue same-sex marriage certificates.