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Judge Strikes Down Iowa Gay Marriage Ban

Orders officials in his county to start issuing licenses

By Caroline Miller,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2007 9:00 AM CDT

(Newser) –  A county  judge in Iowa has struck down the state's gay marriage ban as unconstitutional, and has ordered local officials to start issuing marriage licenses for gay couples. The county attorney says he will appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. "I can't believe this is happening in Iowa," says state Minority Leader Christopher Rants.

The lawyer for the six gay couples who sued in 2005 tells the AP that Iowa has a history of protecting civil rights. Five couples applied for licenses yesterday afternoon after the ruling was issued, and many more are expected today.

Just married. A county judge has struck down Iowa's decade-old gay marriage ban as unconstitutional, and ordered that the first six couples be issued marriage license.
Just married. A county judge has struck down Iowa's decade-old gay marriage ban as unconstitutional, and ordered that the first six couples be issued marriage license.   (Shutterstock.com)
Dennis Johnson, the lawyer representing six gay couples denied marriage licenses in 2005, argued that Iowa has a long history of aggressively protecting civil rights in cases of race and gender.
Dennis Johnson, the lawyer representing six gay couples denied marriage licenses in 2005, argued that Iowa has a long history of aggressively protecting civil rights in cases of race and gender.   (Shutterstock.com)
Greg Kimball, center left, of Manchester, Mass., and his partner of five months, Brian O'Connor celebrate after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage at the Statehouse in Boston, Thursday, June 14, 2007. Massachusetts is currently the only state to legalize gay marriage, although...
Greg Kimball, center left, of Manchester, Mass., and his partner of five months, Brian O'Connor celebrate after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage...   (Associated Press)
Choosing not to give their last names, Jessica, left, and Kate, both from Cambridge, Mass., embrace after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage at the Statehouse in Boston, Thursday, June 14, 2007. Iowa joins Massachusetts and nine other states as defending some...
Choosing not to give their last names, Jessica, left, and Kate, both from Cambridge, Mass., embrace after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage...   (Associated Press)
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