April 03, 2009

The Iowa Supreme Court today issued a unanimous ruling  that the Iowa ban on same-sex marriage violates the equal protection provision of the Iowa
Constitution.

In it's ruling today the Supreme Court said, "A statue 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." The court clarified in a footnote, "The cases we have cited are not meant to imply this court has been at the  forefront in recognizing civil rights in all areas and at all times. These cases do, however, reflect this court has, for the most part, been at the forefront in recognizing individuals’ civil rights. The path we have taken as a state has not been by accident, but has been navigated with the compass of  equality firmly in hand, constructed with a pointer balanced carefully on the pivot of equal protection."

A rally was held today at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa in support of the supreme court ruling. It was sponsored by UNI Proud. The rally was attended by about seventy-five people in support of the ruling.

The keynote speaker was UNI Professor Dr Rebecca Burkhardt. She spoke about how the ruling will affect her life. The podium was opened up to anyone in the audience that would like to speak. Several  people came up to declare their alliance with the Gay and Lesbian community. Several same sex couples spoke about how the ruling has made them feel.

After the rally was finished there was jubilation in the air as people walked around talking and hugging each other.

Thanks to Dr. Rebecca Burkhardt, Maureen Dougherty, Joan Farstad, Jennifer Waldron, Brenda Fite, Tiffany Batchelor and Stephanie Moore for adding your voices to this article.