The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the
nation's largest LGBT advocate, on Friday released a video
congratulating Iowa on four years of gay marriage.
On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme
Court handed down its unanimous Varnum v. Brien decision which
brought marriage equality to the Midwest and Iowa county recorders
began processing marriage licenses for gay couples on April 27.
At least 360 couples, including 26
out-of-state couples, were granted marriage licenses on the law's
first day.
The first to marry in Polk County were
a lesbian couple. Shelley Wolfe, 38, and Melisa Keeton, 31, received
a waiver from the customary three-day waiting period because Keeton
was 25 weeks pregnant.
Approximately 6,000 gay and lesbian
couples have tied the knot In Iowa.
“Iowa. America's heartland,” a
male announces says in the 30-second video. “A place where for the
past four years gay and lesbian couples can get married. Some
thought it would the downfall of humanity. But the cows still get
milked, the wheat and corn still grow high and puppy dogs are still
cute.”
“Way to show 'em Hawkeyes. And happy
anniversary.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)