Same-sex marriage finally comes to the Midwest

The Supreme Court of Iowa stunned the country – and made the 2012 Republican presidential primary much more interesting –
when it declared a ban on gay marriage unconstitutional.

While proponents of the gay rights movement celebrate this decision, it comes as an unexpected and exciting success for frustrated liberals in the Midwest.

Advocates for gay rights have seen most of their success in coastal states. “Fly-over states” have often taken their time when enacting these same rights.

This past week saw a break in that custom as Iowa became the third state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. Ceremonies can take place as early as April 24.

The historical decision comes as a breath of fresh air, signifying that change such as
this can come from the least likely of places.

Justice Mark S. Cady wrote in the majority opinion that “the constitutional principle of equal protection” forbids the “exclusion of a class of Iowans from civil marriage.” He went on to say that the ruling “does not disrespect or denigrate the religious views of many Iowans who may strongly believe in marriage as a dual-gender union. ... We are not permitted to do less and would damage our constitution immeasurably by trying to do more.”

This landmark decision should come as a wake-up call for those who still believe gay rights is only an issue for crazy, “godless” places such as Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Regarding same-sex marriage, Iowa, which has in the past been associated with conservatism, is now more progressive then California, whose Proposition 8 stifled the short-lived legalization of same-sex marriage.

Of course, if the liberal haven of California could fall prey to the retaliation of anti-gay marriage advocates, then Iowa will be susceptible as well. Many prospective Republican presidential candidates will soon be tripping over each other to denounce the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling.

For the decision to be reversed, both houses of the legislature must approve it. Thankfully, most legal experts agree that anything along those lines will not see the light of day until at least 2012.

FiveThirtyEight.com, an elections prediction Web site, predicted a referendum banning same-sex marriage would lose by 2013.