Friday, August 31, 2007

Iowa becoming progressive?

Judge strikes down Iowa gay marriage ban

DES MOINES, Iowa - A dozen gay couples applied for marriage licenses Friday morning as the county recorder's office opened, and at least one couple hoped to marry within hours.

The window of opportunity could be narrow.

A Polk County judge on Thursday struck down Iowa's decade-old gay marriage ban, clearing the way for the couples to apply for marriage licenses. But county attorney John Sarcone promised a quick appeal, and he immediately asked the judge for a stay that would prevent gay couples from getting marriage licenses until the appeal was resolved.

A hearing on the stay request is likely next week, said Camilla Taylor, an attorney with Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay rights organization.

In the meantime, the applications began rolling in.

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Republican House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, said the ruling illustrates the need for a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.


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Of course, the repugs are trying to block civil rights for gays, as usual.

Can you imagine how this is going to look for the repugs in a couple of decades (if not sooner)?

They are going to be perceived exactly the same of the bigots of the 60's who were blocking civil rights for blacks.

They know that they can't fight this indefinitely, but they are willing to go down in history are bigoted assholes just for political gain.

What incredible scumbags! But, I guess it goes against the repugs' grain to actually do the right thing...