Iowa Leaders Show Support

A wide array of organizations and individuals have filed over a dozen friend-of-the-court briefs at the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of the six same-sex couples and their families in Lambda Legal's historic marriage case.

Former Lieutenant Governors Joy Corning and Sally Pederson were among the signers. They wrote: "We have a deep respect for the role of the Iowa Supreme Court and the judicial process. We signed our names to a brief submitted to the Court because we believe that the Court is the proper place to decide this matter."

We filed our case with the Polk County Court in December 2005, arguing that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the equal protection and due process guarantees in the Iowa State Constitution.

In August 2007 the trial court ruled that denying marriage to same-sex couples was unconstitutional. The final decision in this case will be made by the Iowa Supreme Court.

Other Signatory Highlights:

• Rev. Paul Shultz, Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Iowa: "Couples who seek to care for one another and their families within the bonds of marriage should be embraced and celebrated." Read more from the brief.
  
• Marti Anderson, President of the National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter: "We support the right of same-sex couples to enter into civil marriage and receive all accompanying rights, protections, and privileges…and the rights of the children of same-sex couples to a secure and stable home established through civil marriage. The Iowa district court decision supports the rights of children of same-sex couples." Read more from the brief.
  
• Randall Wilson, Legal Director at the ACLU of Iowa Foundation: "Iowa's legal tradition includes many instances of insightful and courageous court decisions supporting the right of equality. In our brief, we argue that this must not change."
  
• Dr. Kevin Mumford, History Professor at the University of Iowa: "Providing loving couples with access to marriage will be another proud moment in Iowa history." Read more from the brief.