by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 24, 2008 - 5:00 pm ET
(Des Moines, Iowa) Petitions with over 6,000 signatures were delivered to the Iowa legislature Thursday demanding lawmaker impeach a judge who last year struck down a state law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples.
Social conservative Bill Salier and his organization, Everyday America, say that Polk County Judge Robert Hanson violated the state constitution in his ruling.
Hanson ruled that a state law allowing marriage only between a man and woman violated the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection. (story)
Less than two hours after the the ruling two Des Moines men applied for a marriage license, found a judge to waive the waiting period and were married.
Hanson then stayed his ruling until the state could appeal it to the Iowa Supreme Court. The marriage of Sean Fritz and Tim McQuillan remains the only legal same-sex marriage in the state.
The appeal of Hanson's same-sex marriage ruling is likely to be heard later this year by the state Supreme Court.
Salier's petition drive is not likely to get far. Only the legislature can impeach a judge and Democrats who control both houses say they have no intention of doing that.
Nor are Democratic lawmakers anxious to take up a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would block gay marriage no matter how the high court rules.
Republicans, Salier's group, conservative churches and other groups are pressing for the amendment.
Last week several hundred people marched outside the Capitol demanding lawmakers move forward on the measure. (story)
House Speaker Pat Murphy (D) said he is in no rush to deal with it.
To amend the Iowa Constitution simple majorities are needed in both the House and Senate in two consecutive general assemblies and then it must be approved by a simple majority of voters in the following general election.
If a resolution were approved this year and in the 2009 or 2010 session, it could be placed before voters in November 2010.
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