Yesterday, the first LGBT couples in the U.S. state of Iowa not only applied for their Marriage Licenses, but in quite a few cases, with a waiver from the state Supreme Court, were married. Thus Iowa now joins the ranks of an increasing number of states in recognizing the rights of LGBT folk to be fully credentialed and franchised members of their communities. The other US states that allow same-sex marriage are Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Then, there are of course "civil unions" that are allowed in the states of New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. Conversely there are 42 states that either ban same-sex marriage or make it not legal— in some cases not recognizing marriages or civil unions from other states. The state of New Mexico does not address the issue at all. As shown by the example of the passage of that onerous Proposition 8 in California— a state that has long been a bastion of civil liberties for the LGBT community— there is still a much larger problem out there.
While I applaud Iowa's joining the 21st century in treating all of its citizens on an equal basis, I find it saddening to realize that those loving couples are, for now, restricted to living in only eight states that would afford them full measure and more-so, equal protection under the law.
Still, I think Harvey Milk would be pleased.
Brody
Then, there are of course "civil unions" that are allowed in the states of New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. Conversely there are 42 states that either ban same-sex marriage or make it not legal— in some cases not recognizing marriages or civil unions from other states. The state of New Mexico does not address the issue at all. As shown by the example of the passage of that onerous Proposition 8 in California— a state that has long been a bastion of civil liberties for the LGBT community— there is still a much larger problem out there.
While I applaud Iowa's joining the 21st century in treating all of its citizens on an equal basis, I find it saddening to realize that those loving couples are, for now, restricted to living in only eight states that would afford them full measure and more-so, equal protection under the law.
Still, I think Harvey Milk would be pleased.
Brody
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