Sound good to me.Maybe all states will follow suit.If gays want to be married ,let them.It is not hurting anyone.

in order of asked: No, I'm happy that the move towards equality in a society so backwards is finally taking place.

Finally, States are wising up and giving everyone equal rights to publicly decalre their love for their partner.

It will happen in the US and it will happen relatively quickly.There are far too many gay people who are not afraid of being known as gay..and who will stand up and fight. That's 10% of the population...something's gotta give...It did here in Canada and the universe is still intact...and it will happen in the US..

I love it when I hear that straight couples refuse to legally marry until their gay friends or relatives have that right, too. I think they are the best kind of people.

Awesome! It's about time. Another state wises up. Maryland is on this track, too. The ban has already been ruled against in lower courts, but it takes time to wind its way all the way through.

Fantastic! 1 down, 49 to go...

Finally its possible! I'm very happy! Maybe now the other states will start to follow Iowa. That would be good. So far, only 49 more states left. Edit: Only 48 more states left.

I think it's wonderful. If two people love each other and want to be married, they should be able to. Besides the legal side, being able to make decisions, etc...

It is an abomination unto God and exposes us to His wrath. Our disobedience to His Word is disgraceful.

Cool! Iowa of all places- wow! One would think it would occur in the blue states before the red ones. From a legal standpoint, I found it interesting that the ban against same sex couples getting married violated the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection, and because of that the bigots "said the ruling illustrates the need for a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage." They are ADMITTING that denying equal rights to couples of the same sex is unconstitutional, yet they want to cling to their bigotry so strongly that they want to change the constitution to include it. That is just sick.

Personally, I don't feel it is natural to have same sex marriages or even more then that, same sex relationships. I pray for them. I know that whatever people do are their business, it is just God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

Once again, a liberal judge makes law from the bench. I think he'll find out that Iowa is the wrong state to do that in. Americans can live with what Americans can vote on, but they backlash against diktats from appointed-for-life unaccountable judges.

anything that brings a bit more love into the world is a good thing (i didn't mean that to sound so creepy)and it's a step forward for equal rights. so yay Iowa.

I think it's fantastic. I'm personally not a fan of marriage, would never want to do it, but if same-sex couples want to experience the old "ball and chain", more power to them! :-) I just hope more states follow suit. I'm also REALLY glad that this is not being allowed to be a federal legal issue. That would be one more thing that the federal government tries to legislate that really is (1) none of its business and (2) not within the explicit powers granted to it by the Constitution, which we seem to have largely forgotten about these days. Even though a part of me would be happy if the federal government passed a law legalizing it everywhere, most of me would hate that it got involved at all. It should be "reserved for states, and the people, respectively" (quoted from our Constitution, from a line the federal government has been grossly ignoring for decades). It's inexcusable that we live in a country where ALL states haven't decided to allow same-sex marriages. I would argue that same-sex or opposite-sex marriages would not be legal institutions - that what we now call marriage at the legal level would be merely a civil union, and that it needn't even be tied to romance or sex - just a formal legal union for the benefits of being "married". Marriage itself should only be a religious thing - and then, of course, it's up to each individual church to make up their minds who gets married and who doesn't; but the clergy shouldn't have the power to create legal civil unions as I described - there should be no legality in marriage, just religious value (the civil union would need to be applied for separately). But since everyone's happy butchering marriage by making it a legal institution, then religion and religious ideology about homosexuality and "marriage is between a man and a woman" can't be a factor, as that would be mixing up our "church" and "state", and that cocktail is a recipe for a mean hangover.

well that is great. I am happy for this.

Oo, Iowa, eh? If I ever decide for a marriage within the few years I suppose I could check out Iowa and not move to Canada just for the sake of marriage. Maybe some other states will consider this ^^

why should same sex couples not have the right to be just as miserable as opposite sex couples

Marriage is the union between men and women.

Sheryl, is this the article you are referrencing. The one in your question isn't working. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070831/ap_on_re_us/same_sex_marriage_17

I found it awseome and exciting! especially in the midwest! I live in MO, sadly, the 1st state to amend it's constitution after Dubya made such a big issue of a federal amendment. If midwestern Iowa can over-turn such bigoted laws, I'm sure many others will follow. A domino effect, if you will. And being out and visible...and voting!....makes a huge difference! We WILL win this battle!

Hope shines eternal! I also just want to say thanks to all the AB "Heart Family" and G/L/BI/T "Family" members who are not shy about sharing their beliefs and support for ALL humans being able to Legally JOIN their chosen partners in marriage, holy union or what ever name one wishes to call it...IN LOVE and COMMITMENT. I think a lot of us understand that the journey of life is not always easy...alone or with someone, we either learn to love, respect, compromise, negotiate or we cannot make a successful relationship. It doesn't matter what your preferences are...it's still about the same thing when you get down to it...learning to give and take and appreciate your partner. When you have IT, the love, or if you have had IT...if you are really lucky and aware of the true gift of loving another person with all of your heart, really caring to the point that you are willing to work together to build a life....well, I guess to me that's really LIVING. I think a lot of people here recognize what a gift that sort of love is and having had it, or desiring it...they share that quality of love, by hoping that others can have it too. Thank you....

Whooohooo! One more state! Unfortunately, the open-mindedness didn't stretch to the Wisconsin borders. The radical right, backed by the Churchs and a LOT of money, skewed the pre-election commercials so that the farmers and the elderly -- who the polls showed were behind gay unions but not marriages -- misunderstood the message. Now Wisconsin, which is usually a progressive state, has a ban on all common law unions, including those between straight people, just so the Religious Right could ban Gay Marriage. I wish I could head to Iowa and get married; but it wouldn't *really* make any difference. I've been married in my heart for the last 27 years. A peice of paper won't get me any health benefits, nor will it get me life insurance from my Partner's company. Only constant bombarding of the government and my Senators (they are decent men, though -- Feingold and Kohl, not the idiots in the White house) will do that. Go Iowa!!!

I think it's great. Let all the states follow Iowa

Woo Hoo - finally. Good for trendsetting Iowa - let's hope other states follow suit!

God will judge Iowa

Love is love. Love does not recognize gender. If loving the same sex makes them happy, why keep them from getting married? If it's true love, marriage should always be allowed.

I do not and will not now or ever support gay marriage while we say it may not be hurting anyone you are very wrong a marriage should only be between a man and a woman. God made this earth for a purpose and all the female and male creatures whom thrive upon it and when he is ready to destroy it because of the shame we have put it to He will...