Same-sex marraiges likely to start in Iowa on April 24, 2009

Earlier on this blog, I reported that the Iowa Supreme Court in Varnum v. Brien (No. 07-1499) held that the Iowa statute banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional as a violation of equal protection.

It now appears that the county attorney who defended the same-sex marriage ban statute will not seek a rehearing.  Thus, the court’s decision will take effect on April 24, 2009 meaning that same-sex marriages may then be performed.

A possible movement to reverse the decision via an amendment to the Iowa Constitution may be in the works.  However, it could not get on the ballot until 2012.

Some legislators are considering imposing residency requirements for same-sex individuals before they can get married in Iowa.  This would keep same-sex couples from other states from coming to Iowa just for the purpose of getting married.

See Amy Lorentzen, Gay marriages expected to begin in Iowa April 24, Yahoo! News, April 4, 2009.