Over 200 Iowa faith leaders and two former Lieutenant Governors sign on to briefs filed today.
(Des Moines, March 28, 2008) — At least 17 briefs will be filed by a wide array of both Iowa-based and national organizations and individuals at the Iowa Supreme Court this week on behalf of the six same-sex couples and their families seeking marriage in Iowa.
One of the briefs, signed by former Lieutenant Governors Joy Corning and Sally Pederson states that the Iowa Supreme Court is the proper body to address this issue.
In a joint statement Corning and Pederson said, "We are proud of Iowa's long history in ensuring fairness and equality for all Iowans. As former elected officials, we have a deep respect for the role of the Iowa Supreme Court and the judicial process. We signed our names to a brief submitted to the Court because we believe that the Court is the proper place to decide this matter. We have a keen understanding of the different roles the courts and legislature play in leading our state and treating all Iowans with fairness."
Rev. Paul Schultz, Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Iowa, signatory on the faith leader amicus brief: "As a minister I value marriage and family and believe that loving couples should have an equal chance to experience the joy, comfort and responsibility that marriage provides. Couples who seek to care for one another and their families within the bonds of marriage should be embraced and celebrated."
Marti Anderson, MSW, LISW, President of the National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter said, "The National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter, believes this case is critical to the well-being of Iowa's children and families. We support the right of same-sex couples to enter into civil marriage and receive all accompanying rights, protections, and privileges. We support the rights of the children of same-sex couples to a secure and stable home established through civil marriage. The Iowa district court decision supports the rights of children of same-sex couples."
"We feel very honored to have the support of so many influential Iowa leaders," said Camilla Taylor, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago. "Faith leaders, pediatricians, scientists, elected officials, child welfare advocates and civil rights groups are just a few among the signatories."
"We have always been ahead of our neighbors in fighting for civil rights, and now is the time for our state to take the next step in ending inequality," said Dennis Johnson, former Iowa Solicitor General now of Dorsey and Whitney.
In December 2005, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit with the Polk County Court on behalf of six same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, arguing that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the equal protection and due process guarantees in the Iowa State Constitution. In August of 2007 the trial court ruled that denying marriage to same-sex couples was unconstitutional. The final decision in this case will be made by the Iowa Supreme Court.
Statements from some of the friend-of-the-court brief signatories:
Randall Wilson, Legal Director at the ACLU of Iowa Foundation: "For all of the groups we represent in our brief, the important question remains, when it is their day in court, will constitutional review be meaningful, or will Iowa courts simply provide lip service to principle and accept even the weakest of excuses for discrimination that our governments might concoct. Iowa's legal tradition includes many instances of insightful and courageous court decisions supporting the right of equality. In our brief, we argue that this must not change."
Dr. Dianne McBrien, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City: "Many pediatricians and other child advocates feel that children born to or adopted by same-sex couples deserve the same legal, financial, and emotional security that the children of married heterosexual couples have. A substantial body of evidence has demonstrated that the children raised by gay parents are as emotionally healthy as those raised by heterosexual couples. A ban on gay marriage would disenfranchise the growing number of Iowa children being raised by same-sex couples."
Dr. Kevin Mumford, History Professor at the University of Iowa, signatory on the Iowa history brief:
"At a time when Iowa and the nation have rejected the old-fashioned racism that stigmatized 'miscegenation' and endangered black/white marriages and families, the citizens of our state must again stand for equal protection under the law. Back in 1976 Iowa lawmakers pioneered the repeal of anti-gay sex statutes, and later the University of Iowa pioneered same-sex partner accommodations. Providing loving couples with access to marriage will be another proud moment in Iowa history."
Angela Onwuachi-Willig , Professor of Law at the University of Iowa, signatory on the Iowa history brief:
"We look back with pride that Iowa eliminated its ban on interracial marriage 116 years before the landmark US. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia which struck down such laws around the country and declared that marriage is a fundamental right. Iowa has long been a leader in protecting rights and extending equality--116 years from now I hope Iowans will be able to look back proudly at its place in history allowing same-sex couples to marry."
Camilla Taylor, Senior Staff Attorney and Kenneth Upton, Senior Staff Attorney are handling the case for Lambda Legal. They are joined by former Iowa Solicitor General Dennis Johnson of Dorsey and Whitney in Des Moines.
The case is Varnum v. Brien.
Contact your legislators and ask them to respect the role of the Iowa Supreme Court! 
