国产热热热精品,亚洲视频久久】日韩,三级婷婷在线久久,99人妻精品视频,精品九热人人肉肉在线,AV东京热一区二区,91po在线视频观看,久久激情宗合,青青草黄色手机视频

WORLD> America
Gay marriages to begin in Iowa April 24
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-04 22:50

Gay marriages to begin in Iowa April 24
Laura Fefchak, right, and Nancy Robinson, center, of Urbandale, Iowa, react to the ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court in Urbandale, Iowa on Friday, April 3, 2009. Gay marriage advocates began celebrating early Friday after the Iowa Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling finding that the state's same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples. [Agencies]

The Rev. Diane McLanahan of Trinity United Methodist Church in Des Moines acknowledged that many people of faith won't agree with the ruling. With that in mind, she said the court has reached a decision that "pretty much insists that this will not be a debate about religious rights but a matter of equality and fairness."

In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld an August 2007 decision by a judge who found that a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of equal protection.

Related readings:
Gay marriages to begin in Iowa April 24 Expert: Marriage dogma against gay may fuel AIDS
Gay marriages to begin in Iowa April 24 US endorses UN gay rights text
Gay marriages to begin in Iowa April 24 Miami judge rules against Florida gay adoption ban
Gay marriages to begin in Iowa April 24 California court to hear gay marriage ban case

Gay marriages to begin in Iowa April 24 Gay weddings begin in Connecticut as debate rages

Iowa lawmakers have "excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification," the justices wrote.

To issue any other decision, the seven justices said, "would be an abdication of our constitutional duty."

At a news conference announcing the decision, plaintiff Kate Varnum, 34, introduced her partner, Trish Varnum, as "my fiance."

"I never thought I'd be able to say that," she said, fighting back tears.

Jason Morgan, 38, said he and his partner, Chuck Swaggerty, adopted two sons, confronted the death of Swaggerty's mother and endured a four-year legal battle as plaintiffs.

"If being together though all of that isn't love and commitment or isn't family or marriage, then I don't know what is," Morgan said. "We are very happy with the decision today and very proud to live in Iowa."

Iowa has a history of being in the forefront on social issues. It was among the first states to legalize interracial marriage and to allow married women to own property. It was also the first state to admit a woman to the bar to practice law and was a leader in school desegregation.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat, said state lawmakers were unlikely to consider gay marriage legislation in this legislative session, which is expected to end within weeks.

Gronstal also said he's "not inclined" to propose a constitutional amendment during next year's session. Without a vote by the Legislature this year or next, the soonest gay marriage could be repealed would be 2014.

Amendments to Iowa's constitution must be passed by the House and Senate in two consecutive general assemblies, which each last two years, and then approved by a simple majority of voters during a general election.

Iowa's Democratic governor, Chet Culver, said he would review the decision before announcing his views.

   Previous page 1 2 Next Page  

会东县| 莱阳市| 彭阳县| 隆化县| 太原市| 阜平县| 崇仁县| 新河县| 读书| 普兰县| 弥勒县| 云梦县| 光泽县| 河北省| 桐梓县| 平湖市| 疏勒县| 新邵县| 芮城县| 措美县| 郎溪县| 罗城| 郴州市| 馆陶县| 崇阳县| 呼伦贝尔市| 焦作市| 南涧| 汝南县| 轮台县| 玉环县| 盐源县| 万荣县| 黄冈市| 镇原县| 虹口区| 株洲县| 永靖县| 左云县| 大田县| 安化县|