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Log Cabin Republicans Applaud Iowa Court Ruling on Marriage Equality

April 3, 2009

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Log Cabin Republicans applaud the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous ruling granting the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. Today's decision marks an historic chapter in the ongoing fight for marriage equality. The effect of the ruling in Varnum v. Brien is to reverse Iowa's ban on same-sex marriage by saying the law was unconstitutional under the equal protection provision of the Iowa state Constitution. The result of years of legal wrangling, this decision upholds a 2007 Polk County District Court decision. Iowa now becomes the third state where gay marriage is legal.

"This decision shows that Middle America is with us," said Terry Hamilton, National Chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans. "In Iowa and across America, there are conservative, moderate and liberal gays and lesbians – Republicans, Democrats and independents – who are working very hard to achieve marriage equality. This ruling supports all their efforts and shows that fairness and equality do not belong to just one party label," continued Hamilton. The unanimous decision of the Iowa Court was written by Justice Mark Cady, who was appointed to the court by former four-term Republican Governor Terry Branstad.