Amazing Iowa - Again in the Vanguard

Like many I am still somewhat stunned but elated at the unanimous ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court yesterday which struck down the statutory ban on same sex marriage. As I wrote yesterday I was also impressed that the Court took on the issue of one set of religious beliefs shaping civil legal rights head on and firmly stated that the religious beliefs of some does not make restricting the civil rights of others acceptable. The other information that has come to light - which was unknown to me and I suspect many others all across the country is how Iowa has a proud history of being ahead of the curve in advancing the civil rights of citizens. Something that is in stark contrast to Virginia which after its explosion of brilliance under the founding fathers has been behind the curve on almost all issues involving civil rights be it segregation, interracial marriage (Loving v. Virginia), and now gay rights (the Marshall-Newman Amendment). A joint statement from Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy underscores just how impressive Iowa's track record has been over the years. Here are highlights from that statement (in reformated form):

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Thanks to today's decision, Iowa continues to be a leader in guaranteeing all of our citizens' equal rights. The court has ruled today that when two Iowans promise to share their lives together, state law will respect that commitment, regardless of whether the couple is gay or straight. When all is said and done, we believe the only lasting question about today's events will be why it took us so long. It is a tough question to answer because treating everyone fairly is really a matter of Iowa common sense and Iowa common decency. Today, the Iowa Supreme Court has reaffirmed those Iowa values by ruling that gay and lesbian Iowans have all the same rights and responsibilities of citizenship as any other Iowan. Iowa has always been a leader in the area of civil rights.

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Slavery: In 1839, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected slavery in a decision that found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War decided the issue.

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School Segregation: In 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated 'separate but equal' schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

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Segregation of Public Accomodations: In 1873, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations, 91 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

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Women Attorneys: In 1869, Iowa became the first state in the union to admit women to the practice of law.

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In the case of recognizing loving relationships between two adults, the Iowa Supreme Court is once again taking a leadership position on civil rights. Today, we congratulate the thousands of Iowans who now can express their love for each other and have it recognized by our laws.

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I for one will hence forth look at Iowa in an entirely new light and I suspect thinking, fair minded residents of Iowa will again be proud that their state - which has been right early on on so many issues - has again stepped to the forefront in upholding civil liberties for all. Would that Virginia would return to the enlightened thinking of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and others who put reason and liberty ahead of reactionary religious dogma.