The Historic Gay Marriage Debate in Iowa

Later today, the Iowa State Supreme Court will hear arguments on behalf of six same-sex couples challenging Iowa's constitutional ban on gay marriage.  No ruling is expected for months (and possibly up to a year), but there is significant hope that Iowa will become the first Midwest state to recognize marriage equality.

The case, Varnum v. Brien, is a result of a Polk County Judge's order in 2007 that the marriage ban was unconstitutional.  The Judge stayed his order, however, until the Supreme Court could weigh in.  And that day is today.

The debate has drawn out supporters of both sides of this issue.  Marriage equality supporters have been making the media rounds, and anti-gay marriage supporters met with the Des Moines Register's editorial board yesterday.  Again, there's no word on when the court will rule after today's arguments.

But one sign of hope is that the last three courts to weigh in on the subject of gay marriage - Massachusetts, California and Connecticut - all sided on behalf of marriage equality in their decisions.

Below we'll include a roundup of some of the best quotes about the case in Iowa from the recent media coverage.  And stay tuned...we'll have more on this case in the coming weeks.  To the roundup!

Aderson Francois, Professor of Law at Howard University: "Since marriage is a benefit that is authorized or sanctioned by the state, the question is whether the state should be in the position to discriminate against people solely on the basis of their sexual orientation.  The answer is no. People are free to feel whatever they want about this, but whatever your feelings may be, it would be discrimination for the state to tell consenting adults how they should spend their lives together."

Camilla Taylor, Lambda Legal: "Iowa was reportedly the first state to permit a woman to practice law as a lawyer, the first state to admit a woman to the bar.  Iowans are used to national attention, and they are not uncomfortable with a leadership role. Iowa has a proud history of doing the right thing."

Carolyn Jenison, Executive Director of One Iowa: "Committed gay and lesbian couples across Iowa have been waiting a long time for this day.  Today's arguments give us hope that these couples may soon be able to share the protections, security, and dignity of marriage. Today, we are one step closer to making that a reality for them and their families."

Leonard Florescue, Matrimonial Attorney for Blank Rome LLP: "Most courts consistently find in favor of gay couples' right to marry because it is a Constitutional right.  There is just not a strong legal argument against it, but obviously there's a strong emotional overlay here."

Mark McCormick, former Iowa Supreme Court Justice: "I think our court will look at the decisions that have been made in other states.  The three most recent states to decide the issue, as I recall, have stricken state laws of a comparable nature. So, our court will be looking at the reasoning in those cases, and will probably find something persuasive about some of that reasoning."

Jen BarbouRoske, one of the plaintiffs in Varnum v. Brien: "We have the opportunity to show our kids you can stand up for your rights.