BREAKING NEWS: Iowa Supreme Court Marriage Equality

BREAKING NEWS: This morning, Lambda Legal argued our historic marriage case, Varnum v. Brien, before the Iowa Supreme Court. "We hope that the Court breathes life into the Iowa Constitution's promise of equality," said Camilla Taylor, Senior Staff Attorney and chief architect of the lawsuit.

The case was argued this morning on behalf of Lambda Legal's six plaintiff couples and their children by co-counsel Dennis Johnson, former Iowa Solicitor General and partner at the firm Dorsey and Whitney...

In August of 2007, a district court ruled that denying marriage to same–sex couples violates the Iowa Constitution. But the court granted a stay of the decision pending appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. In March of 2008, we filed our brief with the Iowa Supreme Court, which was joined by 15 friend–of–the–court briefs supporting same-sex couples seeking the right to marry and the right of their children to have their families treated fairly.

Ingrid Olson and her partner Reva Evans are plaintiffs in the case with their son Jamison. Today Ingrid said: "My grandparents were married 68 years and Reva's grandparents were married 57 years. My family values the importance of marriage and commitment, and I learned that lesson very early — it's a lesson I want to pass on to our son."

NOT A CALIFORNIAN???

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT:

Q: I don’t live in California, but I heard what the court did there and I'm thinking about traveling to get married there because I can’t get married in my state. Anything I should consider first?

A: Getting legally married can be a joyous event, but because of the unequal treatment of our relationships in most states, there are ramifications to consider. First, we strongly recommend that you consider whether getting married might create serious problems for you.

Take a look at Lambda Legal’s FAQ Traveling to Another State or Country to Marry? In it, we give background on problems if you or your partner is in the military, on an immigration visa, receiving public assistance or planning to adopt a child. We also review other considerations, like what you’ll face upon returning to your home state.

If you’re married, you’ll have to declare it truthfully on applications and forms for jobs, apartments, credit, mortgages, insurance, medical treatment and perhaps state or federal tax returns.

"And we urge you not to get married with the idea that you’ll fight any resulting discrimination with a lawsuit. A premature legal battle could hurt us all rather than help. Also, our opponents are working to change California’s constitution in response to the court’s decision. If they manage to succeed, some may try to use the constitutional change to say that your marriage is invalid."

Visit Lambda Legal’s marriage-specific resources, including the Protecting Same-Sex Relationships resource page and FAQ above, which specifically discusses the pros and cons of getting married in another state or country.

The California Supreme Court has just ruled in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples, a decision with huge national impact!

Statement of Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein, on the decision's impact on other states, including New Jersey:

"Today the California Supreme Court produced an earthquake for equality. From the Redwood Forest to the Gulfstream Waters to our own Jersey Shore, millions of Americans now rise in jubilation over today’s historic advancement for freedom.

California is so big and so impactful on the rest of the nation, what happens in California won’t stay in California, and that’s great for equality. The California decision will have a particular impact on New Jersey, where we are closer than ever to becoming the first state in American history to enact marriage equality through legislation.

Today, California becomes America’s freeway to equality. Next, New Jersey will be America’s turnpike to equality. So full speed ahead! Our dream is in sight.

All of us at Garden State Equality salute our incredible colleagues at Equality California and at the legal organizations which made today's historic decision possible: The National Center for Lesbian Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, Heller Ehrman and the Law Office of David C. Codell."

Since Garden State Equality’s founding in 2004, New Jersey has enacted 200 LGBT civil rights laws at the state, county and local levels – more LGBT civil rights laws enacted in less time than in any other U.S. state, ever. Visit Garden State Equality's two websites at www.GardenStateEquality.org and www.CivilUnionsDontWork.com

Clock in for Equality!!!

On May 15, 2007, thousands of people across the country will do something to support workplace fairness. By coordinating organizations and individuals to take action on the same day, we will:

• Educate the public about the harassment and discrimination LGBT people and those living with HIV face at work
• Increase support for efforts to win legal protections for LGBT employees
• Activate people to fight for the rights of LGBT and HIV-affected workers

Sign up now to Clock In for Equality.