Polk County Court Rules in Favor of Equality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FAIRNESS WINS IN LAWSUIT SEEKING MARRIAGE EQUALITY FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES
District Court Grants Equal Treatment to Same-Sex Couples

DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa District Court for Polk County District has issued its decision in a lawsuit seeking marriage equality for same-sex couples: Iowa same-sex couples deserve equal treatment under law.

"We're thrilled by this decision," said Carolyn Jenison, One Iowa's Executive Director. "This is a great day to be an Iowan and a monumental day in Iowa history."

A recent poll by the Des Moines Register found that a majority of Iowans support equal rights for same-sex couples in the state, 49% to 38%. Additionally, studies in New Jersey, New Hampshire, California, and other states have shown that equal marriage increases business and tourism revenues, contributing millions in new tax dollars to the state.

"This judgment is reflective of Iowa values," said Jessica Brackett, Director of the Marriage Initiative at One Iowa. "Iowans believe in fairness and equal rights for all of our citizens."

Current Iowa law provides no access for LGBT people to the myriad rights, protections, and responsibilities provided by marriage. One Iowa advocates for equal access to civil marriage, meaning religious marriages would still be left to individual churches to decide.

One Iowa is working with Lambda Legal to provide education surrounding the Iowa Marriage Equality lawsuit, which was filed in November of 2005 by Lambda Legal on behalf of six same-sex Iowa couples.

One Iowa, the state's largest LGBT rights organization, is dedicated to supporting full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals living in Iowa through grassroots efforts and education.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Paul Whannel
Director of Communications
515-556-0296 cell
515-288-3240 office
paul@one-iowa.org