Joint Statement from IOWA legislative leadership on same-gender marriage decision

[Bluebear]

News Release
For Immediate Release: April 3, 2008
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal
House Speaker Pat Murphy

Iowa continues to be a leader in guaranteeing civil rights

This is a joint statement from Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy on today's Supreme Court decision:

"Thanks to today's decision, Iowa continues to be a leader in guaranteeing all of our citizens' equal rights.

"The court has ruled today that when two Iowans promise to share their lives together, state law will respect that commitment, regardless of whether the couple is gay or straight.

"When all is said and done, we believe the only lasting question about today's events will be why it took us so long. It is a tough question to answer because treating everyone fairly is really a matter of Iowa common sense and Iowa common decency.

"Today, the Iowa Supreme Court has reaffirmed those Iowa values by ruling that gay and lesbian Iowans have all the same rights and responsibilities of citizenship as any other Iowan.

"Iowa has always been a leader in the area of civil rights.

"In 1839, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected slavery in a decision that found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War decided the issue.

"In 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated "separate but equal" schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

"In 1873, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations, 91 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

"In 1869, Iowa became the first state in the union to admit women to the practice of law.

"In the case of recognizing loving relationships between two adults, the Iowa Supreme Court is once again taking a leadership position on civil rights.

"Today, we congratulate the thousands of Iowans who now can express their love for each other and have it recognized by our laws."

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Iowa??

Iowa is more progressive than Collieforneea?

Who the fuck could have seen that coming?

[MineralMan]

5. Anyone who actually knew something about Iowa history.

How's your state doing on this issue?

[Warpy]

11. Iowa is as weird a state as New Mexico is

They're both states where common sense progressivism wins now and then and pretty much out of step with their neighbors.

[Echo In Light]

2. K&R

[MineralMan]

3. You go, Iowa!

I hope those here who think it's unusual for Iowa do support civil rights will read this excellent post.

[rucky]

4. Iowans have alot to be proud of, today.

[Bill McBlueState]

6. I'm gonna use the Iowa flag as my avatar for a while

And that's an excellent statement from the legislature.

[EOTE]

12. I'm happy to do the same.

I shouldn't be this excited for what should be considered simply common sense, but I guess common sense isn't so common anymore. Let's hope that Iowa shames the rest of the country into getting things right.

[Political Heretic]

7. Iowa to California: Fuck you guys.

LOL

This is fantastic!

Go IOWA!

[JI7]

18. the California Supreme Court voted to allow same sex marriage, it was the people

who voted in opposition to it.

if the issue was put up for a vote among the people in Iowa do you think the result would be in favor or against same sex marraige ?

what this shows is that the civil rights of people should not be something that should be put up for a vote.especially in cases where the majority would be able to take away rights from a minority.

hopefully the California Supreme Court strikes down on Prop 8. and if the Iowa Court is able to influence them in any way to do that , good for them.

[glitch]

8. Beautiful Iowa! K & R nt

[DKRC]

9. 5th K&R! For a great piece of news!

:applause:

[MrCoffee]

10. Iowa, O Iowa!

:yourock:

[Bluebear]

14. :)

[yowzayowzayowza]

13. Wonderful!!!

:bounce:

[ruggerson]

15. recommended n/t

[Zenlitened]

16. K&R!!!

:applause:

[Starry Messenger]

17. k&r.

I didn't know all of that about Iowa, thank you for the cool post.