Looks like the Granite State will take up the issue of same-sex marriage. All these Democratic governors who stupidly opposed gay marriages in the past (Culver in Iowa, Lynch in NH) have put themselves in a very difficult position, now that the issue is before them (did they not think this day would come ( Read more... )

His response to the minority leader's request that he co-sponsor a bill calling for a constitutional ban on gay marriage (he may sound calm - almost sedated - to you, but this is how Iowans sound when they get fired up):

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In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Gronstal didn't sound too worried about the possibility that Republicans will seek ( Read more... )

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I've been saying it for years: most Evangelicals would rather give up the fight against gay marriage and focus on the fight against abortion. With each passing year, Evangelicals care less and less about the "threat" of homosexuality. This is not to say, of course, that Evangelicals are completely apathetic on the question of gay marriage; most of ( Read more... )

...and no, I'm not bitter just because Vermont appears to be stealing the show from Iowa. I think we should celebrate Iowa and Vermont together, equally. But we should not treat Vermont as a unique vindication of marriage equally simply because it was the act of a legislature and not a court ( Read more... )

- The Des Moines Register publishes a staunchly pro-gay marriage editorial that places Varnum v. Brien in a "proud Iowa tradition" of progress on civil rights. In particular, the editorial applauds the court: "The decision is both courageous and reassuring. It shows that justices of the Iowa Supreme Court care deeply about protecting the ideals ( Read more... )

Christopher Orr has been engaged in an ongoing debate with Rod Dreher (re: my earlier post), Damon Linker, and Andrew Sullivan over same-sex marriage. His most recent entry does not address the Iowa decision directly, but he does provide links to several of Dreher's earlier posts on the subject. These posts contextualize Dreher's initial response ( Read more... )

Here's what you need to know, from a directive sent by the Iowa Attorney General's office to the individual county recorders/registrars, regarding the implementation of Varnum v. Brien (emphasis mine):


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Evangelical Christian Rod Dreher bemoans the Iowa Supreme Court's decision. He writes, "[Friday] morning, I had breakfast with some guys, including a lawyer. We weren't aware of this decision, but we talked about this issue. The lawyer said that as soon as homosexuality receives constitutionally protected status equivalent to race, then 'it will be ( Read more... )

- The Daily Beast compiles a whole slew of mainstream media stories on Iowa's ruling. A lot of good stories there, including coverage of the generational shift on gay marriage, the GOP shift (with special attention to Gov. Huntsman of Utah), Iowa's constitutional amendment laws that may prevent this decision from being overturned until 2013, et al ( Read more... )