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
Judge Strikes Down Iowa Gay Marriage Ban
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)

 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. (More gay marriage stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X