The Cellar - Gay Marriage legal in Iowa

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Gay Marriage legal in Iowa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_Iowa

Quote:

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay marriage Friday in a unanimous and emphatic decision that makes Iowa the third state — and first in the nation's heartland — to allow same-sex couples to wed.

Iowa joins only Massachusetts and Connecticut in permitting same-sex marriage. For six months last year, California's high court allowed gay marriage before voters banned it in November.

The Iowa justices upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman.
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The county attorney who defended the law said he would not seek a rehearing. The only recourse for opponents appeared to be a constitutional amendment, which could take years to ratify.

"We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective," the Supreme Court wrote.

Iowa lawmakers have "excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification."

To issue any other decision, the justices said, "would be an abdication of our constitutional duty."

'It's a big win'
The Iowa attorney general's office said gay and lesbian couples can seek marriage licenses starting April 24, once the ruling is considered final.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30027685/

Iowa?? Iowa??

Iowa was so yesterday. :rolleyes:

Today, it's all about Vermont.

Thanks Pie - AGAIN! You beat me to it.

Also, DC voted to recognize gay marriages from out-of-state. A good start.

Iowa, Vermont and DC? I wouldn't be caught STRAIGHT in those states!

:p

So, uh, where would you be caught straight? Hypothetically speaking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pie (Post 553734)

So, uh, where would you be caught straight? Hypothetically speaking.

Lesbian Bar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45 (Post 553681)

Iowa?? Iowa??

They had to do something to save the farm animals...

eta: I've just realized this looks like I think all gay people are into beastiality. Of course, there might be some, but I definitely don't mean to imply that all gay people are weirdo's. Just the usual percentage. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha (Post 553747)

Well as Bill Clinton has proved time and time again, you don't have to be gay to fuck a cow.

:p

The significance of the Vermont decision is that it's the first time a legislature did it without prodding from the courts.

Past the symbology of the heartland setting, the Iowa decision was impressive in its solid, eloquent, and decisive dismantling of all legal arguments against gay marriage.

Vermont is just a midwestern state misplaced on the map.

So they fuck a lot of sheep there too?

"The men are men,
The women are men,
The sheep are nervous."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha (Post 553747)

They had to do something to save the farm animals...

Is that why it's not legal in Australia? Enough sheep to go around? ;)

I recently heard that "man marrying man and animals" was the reason that God was pissed off enough at mankind to send the flood.

Found a reference from somewhere other than Wikipedia

Quote:

In Genesis Rabbah 26:5 (cf: Hullin 92a-b), Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Joseph, "The generation of the flood was not obliterated from the world until they wrote marriage contracts/wedding hymns for (males with) males and (people with) animals." (Grishaver, 4). The same Rabbi Huna also equated lesbianism with harlotry.

The Bible is just a book with too many editors; repetitive dialogue and poorly written imagery. And the movie sucked too.

I disagree, I always did like the story of Noah's Arc as a kid, and wanted to do the same. Until I realized how much animal poop that would mean I would have to clean up.

Right on Iowa. I was stunned when I heard this. but hey, if they can do it Iowa, it gives me hope for the rest of the country. It amazes me they are having so much trouble in California with this issue.

Somee churches managed to convince people that the government was going to force churches to perform gay marriages.

Quote:

The same Rabbi Huna also equated lesbianism with harlotry.

I hope that lesbians aren't harlots. I was hoping for a couple of kisses at London Pride at least... I can't afford to pay!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs (Post 553738)

Lesbian Bar.

Why am I reminded of "Where do you usually go to be insulted?"

Maybe it's the format.

What peeved some Californians about it was the idea that Prop. 8 was having at least some of its strings pulled from Salt Lake City. What, they'd like to know, was Utah's interest in the matter? Though the answer was predictable enough from Mormon social values. Approximately the ultimate in alienation from your fellow parishioners may be accomplished in being Mormon, black, and gay.

Monday is the day...here's info for anyone interested.

Quote:

April 27th is the first day that gay and lesbian couples will be able to apply for marriage in the state of Iowa as we become the third state in the nation to grant full marriage equality. There are lots of questions flying about, so I have gathered as much information as I could about the subject.

You must apply for marriage in the county you live in: If you live in Iowa City, you are in Johnson County and apply at the County Recorder’s office at 913 S. Dubuque St. in Iowa City. They are open from 8 – 5. (319) 356-6093 Fax: (319) 339-6181 Their website has all the documents and information you will need: http://www.johnson-county.com/recorder/index.shtml

Also, there will be a new application form available on Monday which will change the language to be gender neutral. You may use either the old form, or the new one.

From Kim Painter, our County Recorder:

“Important Points to Remember for Same-Sex Couples Regarding April 27th and the Issuing of Licenses to Marry in Johnson County, Iowa

The ability to issue licenses will not start on the 27th until issuance of procedendo, an order from the Iowa Supreme Court to the District Court to carry out its ruling. This will strike down the “one man/one woman” wording in the Code of Iowa, allowing all 99 recorders to immediately begin to issue licenses to same-sex applicants. We hope and expect it will occur early the morning of the 27th, but we do not know and cannot be certain. [Yes, in theory this means you could be here at 8:00, and wait until 8:30 or even 11:00 a.m.]

A mandatory three-day waiting period after application is still the law in Iowa. In Johnson County, in order to properly process the volume of applications we receive, we traditionally ask all couples to pick up their licenses and certificate in three days (only one spouse, with ID, needs to return). You also have the option of having us mail the licenses and certificate to you after the three-day wait. The marriage paperwork, by law, is not effective for three days even if you have it in your hands. This means you will not be able to get a license and have a marriage ceremony on Monday without a waiver from a judge.

Waiver forms (if you wish to make your case to a judge for bypassing the 3-day waiting period) are obtained immediately after applying in the office of recorder.

The opportunity to have a judge sign a waiver occurs only between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., M-F, at the Courthouse. In Johnson County, the Courthouse and the County Admin Building (where the County Recorder is, 913 S. Dubuque St. Iowa City) are not the same building – they are approximately 4-5 blocks apart). The Johnson County Courthouse is located at:

Both prospective spouses, and one witness (a person who can attest to the age and identity of both parties to the marriage) must appear if applying in person, preferably with valid state-issued photo ID or US passport. Each party and witness must be at least 18 years of age. The fee is $35.00. Check or cash only – no credit or debit options are currently available for payment.”

From Matt Fender, Lambda Legal and One Iowa:

“Marriage Resource Kit:"

One Iowa has an online marriage resource kit. It can be accessed at: http://www.one-iowa.org/web/marriage/ . The resource kit is a very thorough collection of pages, including Tips for Couples Getting Married, FAQs from Lambda Legal, and Marriage Events. It's sort of a one-stop-shop for all things marriage.

Ruling Clears Way for Gay Dallas Couple to Divorce

Quote:

A Dallas judge ruled Thursday that Texas' ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional as she cleared the way for two gay men to divorce, the Dallas Morning News reported.

State District Judge Tena Callahan said the state’s bans on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional guarantee to equal protection under the law.

While the Texas attorney general had stepped into the case to say that because a gay marriage isn’t recognized in Texas, a Texas court can’t dissolve one through divorce, Tena denied the intervention.

The two Dallas men in the case married three years ago in Massachusetts, the first state to allow gays to marry.

"This is the first time that a same-sex marriage is allowed to be divorced in Texas, which is big," said Pete Schulte, the attorney who represents one of the men.

Schulte said Texas was the only place where they could file for divorce because they live in the state and have established residency.

"I have a feeling there are going to be opponents who say this is going to allow the floodgates of gay marriage to open, and I disagree that," he said. "Gay marriage and gay divorce are two different things."

Attorney General Greg Abbott released a statement saying that he will appeal the ruling.

“The laws and constitution of the State of Texas define marriage as an institution involving one man and one woman. Today's ruling purports to strike down that constitutional definition -- despite the fact that it was recently adopted by 75 percent of Texas voters,” he said.

Lashard Williams, a supporter of gay marriage, said he believes the judge's ruling is a step in the right direction.

"One day, I might decide to get married, and I'm born and raised here in Dallas, and I'd like to do it here in Texas," he said.

Link

The men are Tony Romo and T.O.:p

FINALLY! Shaw, Sundae and I can marry!

Quote:

Ruling Clears Way for Gay Dallas Couple to Divorce

Good, it's about time they got to share the misery. :haha:

Quote:

Originally Posted by morethanpretty (Post 598980)

FINALLY! Shaw, Sundae and I can marry!

Not sure on the polygamy laws there though.
But hey - let's give it a go!
I don't mind not wearing the dress (I've done that already) but I at least want a pink tie.

Quote:

"This is the first time that a same-sex marriage is allowed to be divorced in Texas, which is big," said Pete Schulte, the attorney who represents one of the men.

Yes, we know Texas is big, do you have to keep reminding us?