Gay marriage celebrated its third
anniversary in Iowa on Tuesday.
In was on April 3, 2009 that the Iowa
Supreme Court handed down its unanimous Varnum v. Brien
decision which brought marriage equality to the Midwest.
The following year, angry social
conservatives successfully campaigned to oust three judges off the
bench. The Republican-led House last year approved a constitutional
amendment which would define marriage as a heterosexual union, but
Democrats have blocked the measure in the Senate.
(Related: NOM's
Brian Brown: Iowa gay marriage foes are being denied their rights.)
For Erin and Rachel Dobb-McConnell, who
are raising two children, the ruling has changed their lives.
“It's very fulfilling.” Erin told
Des Moines ABC affiliate WOI.
“We're very proud of our family and our children. We can go to
school and they have a married couple as their parents.”
The couple, who fell in love 12 years
ago, married one month after the ruling was handed down.
“My marriage hasn't changed their
lives at all but it sure has changed mine,” Erin said of marriage
equality opponents.
“Absolutely,” Rachel added.
Massachusetts will celebrate eight
years of marriage equality next month.