Gay Couple Marries Before Iowa Judge Stays Ruling

Two college students became Iowa's first—and, so far, only—legally married same-sex couple today before a judge stayed his own ruling that overturned a ban on gay marriage. About 20 couples completed the marriage-license application between 7:30 and 11am, when the county recorder stopped issuing them. “This might be our only chance,” one applicant told the AP.

Meanwhile, one state legislator calling for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and the governor alluded to the possibility of state intervention. The county attorney requested and received the stay, and the case next moves to the state supreme court. Until the high court rules, the validity of the marriage is unclear, the Des Moines Register reported. (More Iowa stories.)