Same-sex couples line up for marriage licenses
11:40 AM
By Dan GearinoLee Newspapers | Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007
DES MOINES -- Same-sex couples got in line this morning to fill out forms, pay a $35 fee, and get smiles and congratulations from Polk County officials.
This is the line for marriage licenses, a legal document off-limits to same-sex couples until a Polk County District Court judge ruled late Thursday that the state's gay marriage ban is unconstitutional.
The ruling, expected to be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, has sent shockwaves across the state, with advocacy groups, elected officials and presidential candidates lining up to voice their opinions.
But at the Polk County offices, it was time to celebrate.
"It feels great," said Uriah Bohrer, 35, of Des Moines.
He and his partner, Chris McCallin, 41, of Des Moines were among the first to get licenses Friday morning. They have been together more than 10 years.
McCallin said they haven't selected a date for the ceremony.
"It's all happening so fast," he said.
Three Couples filled out forms, while their children were kept occupied by coloring books loaned by the county staff. County employees said they are bracing for an even greater rush of applications later today.
Behind the counter, a sheriff's deputy was on hand, just in case there are protests or other disruptions.
Opponents of the judge's ruling are expected to go to court today in an attempt to prevent any marriages from taking place until the case is appealed. Several of the applicants this morning were warned about this possibility.
Iowa has a three-day waiting period between obtaining the license and the ceremony, so there is plenty of time for legal maneuvering before any marriages take place.
Gov. Chet Culver issued a statement Thursday evening reiterating his belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. However, he said he will not take any immediate action out of respect for the "rule of law and respect for the judicial process."
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticized the ruling.
"The ruling in Iowa today is another example of an activist court and unelected judges trying to redefine marriage and disregard the will of the people," he said.
The top court in Romney's home state, Massachusetts, took similar action while Romney was governor.
Republican state legislators have said the issue should go to a statewide vote in the form of a proposed Constitutional amendment.
Iowa joins California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont among the states that offer some form of legal recognition of gay unions.
For now, marriage licenses are only available in Polk County, but non-resident couples can travel to the county to get licenses.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
This is the line for marriage licenses, a legal document off-limits to same-sex couples until a Polk County District Court judge ruled late Thursday that the state's gay marriage ban is unconstitutional.
The ruling, expected to be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, has sent shockwaves across the state, with advocacy groups, elected officials and presidential candidates lining up to voice their opinions.
But at the Polk County offices, it was time to celebrate.
"It feels great," said Uriah Bohrer, 35, of Des Moines.
He and his partner, Chris McCallin, 41, of Des Moines were among the first to get licenses Friday morning. They have been together more than 10 years.
McCallin said they haven't selected a date for the ceremony.
"It's all happening so fast," he said.
Three Couples filled out forms, while their children were kept occupied by coloring books loaned by the county staff. County employees said they are bracing for an even greater rush of applications later today.
Behind the counter, a sheriff's deputy was on hand, just in case there are protests or other disruptions.
Opponents of the judge's ruling are expected to go to court today in an attempt to prevent any marriages from taking place until the case is appealed. Several of the applicants this morning were warned about this possibility.
Iowa has a three-day waiting period between obtaining the license and the ceremony, so there is plenty of time for legal maneuvering before any marriages take place.
Gov. Chet Culver issued a statement Thursday evening reiterating his belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. However, he said he will not take any immediate action out of respect for the "rule of law and respect for the judicial process."
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticized the ruling.
"The ruling in Iowa today is another example of an activist court and unelected judges trying to redefine marriage and disregard the will of the people," he said.
The top court in Romney's home state, Massachusetts, took similar action while Romney was governor.
Republican state legislators have said the issue should go to a statewide vote in the form of a proposed Constitutional amendment.
Iowa joins California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont among the states that offer some form of legal recognition of gay unions.
For now, marriage licenses are only available in Polk County, but non-resident couples can travel to the county to get licenses.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
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CARMEL wrote on Dec 27, 2007 8:34 AM:
Pee Wee wrote on Sep 7, 2007 4:12 PM:
Agnostic Front wrote on Sep 7, 2007 11:21 AM:
To Jose' wrote on Sep 7, 2007 10:09 AM:
at fault wrote on Sep 6, 2007 10:52 AM: