Iowa, Wisconsin, and Same Sex Marriage
April 26, 2009 by Michelle Smith
Filed under Relationships
Today, I read a piece in the Winona Daily News about Iowa and same-sex marriage.
Iowa has recently cleared the way for same-sex marriages, by overturning the previous ban on April 3, 2009. The article discussed gay couples in Wisconsin and the possible ramifications of their crossing traveling to Iowa to marry. 
The crux of it is they can do it, and they will do it, but couples face possible legal problems by doing it. Plus, it will only be a symbolic union, a relationship “rite of passage,” with no legal benefits. Only residents of Iowa are allowed the same rights as other heterosexual married folk. Here’s a quote from the article that touches on one couple’s experience:
“…don’t want a church wedding. Just a chance to exchange vows before a justice of the peace, and get the same legal rights such as health insurance coverage, hospital visitation, inheritance afforded to straight couples.
A marriage in Iowa won’t provide any of that. And technically, it’s a crime.
A 1915 statute prohibits residents disqualified from marrying in Wisconsin from going to another state or country to wed. Anyone who violates the law can be fined $10,000 and imprisoned for up to nine months.
I’m an advocate of same-sex marriage. My children are advocates of same-sex marriage. I have never understood any of the arguments against it. I was married once. I plan to be married again. Same-sex marriages will have no bearing on my heterosexual union. I look forward to a world where this is no longer a controversial issue.
Image credit: All Posters.com
Oh my.. I didn’t know that about Wisconsin. What a horrible law to put into effect. Taking away the rights of American citizens like that….
I hope that gets changed somehow, however I think it will take a generation before those things will be allowed.
Sometimes I’m shocked at how far we haven’t come. Being free to love and legally commit to whomever you want, it’s such a basic thing.