LGBT rights in Iowa
Encyclopedia
The establishment of LGBT rights in the U.S. state of Iowa is a recent phenomenon, with most advances in LGBT rights taking place since 2007. It is one of six states, along with the District of Columbia, that issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Iowa has allowed for state recognition of same-sex marriages performed in and out of the state since April 3, 2009, after the Iowa Supreme Court
unanimously upheld a ruling by the Polk County District Court in Varnum v. Brien
which effectively forced the state to rescind any outstanding discrimination against same-sex couples who wish to have their marriages recognized and licensed under state law. Iowa marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples for the first time on April 27, 2009.
In response to the decision, several attempts to amend the state constitution, either by presenting a ballot initiative before the voters or calling a state constitutional convention, to ban same-sex marriage have failed.
Three of the Iowa Supreme Court justices who participated in Varnum were removed from office as the result of judicial retention elections in November 2010 following a campaign by groups opposed to same-sex marriage.
Iowa law allows individuals and married couples, regardless of sexual orientation, to adopt
.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
The state's law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity was repealed in June 1976.Recognition of same-sex marriage
Iowa has provided benefits to same-sex partners of state employees since 2003.Iowa has allowed for state recognition of same-sex marriages performed in and out of the state since April 3, 2009, after the Iowa Supreme Court
Iowa Supreme Court
The Iowa Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Iowa. As constitutional head of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the Court is composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices....
unanimously upheld a ruling by the Polk County District Court in Varnum v. Brien
Varnum v. Brien
Varnum v. Brien, 763 N.W.2d 862 , is an Iowa court case in which six same-sex couples filed suit against Timothy Brien, Polk County Recorder, for refusing to grant marriage licenses to them...
which effectively forced the state to rescind any outstanding discrimination against same-sex couples who wish to have their marriages recognized and licensed under state law. Iowa marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples for the first time on April 27, 2009.
In response to the decision, several attempts to amend the state constitution, either by presenting a ballot initiative before the voters or calling a state constitutional convention, to ban same-sex marriage have failed.
Three of the Iowa Supreme Court justices who participated in Varnum were removed from office as the result of judicial retention elections in November 2010 following a campaign by groups opposed to same-sex marriage.
Adoption and parenting
Joint adoptions by same-sex parents have been legal since a ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court in 2008.Iowa law allows individuals and married couples, regardless of sexual orientation, to adopt
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
.