Iowa Supreme Court Sets Date for Oral Arguments in Lambda Legal's Marriage Equality Lawsuit

(Des Moines, October 3, 2008) — Today the Iowa Supreme Court announced that it will hear oral arguments on Tuesday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m. in Lambda Legal's lawsuit seeking marriage equality for same-sex couples in Iowa.

Each side will be allotted 30 minutes to present their side.

"We are pleased to be making our arguments to the Iowa Supreme Court," said Camilla Taylor, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago.

***In the coming weeks Lambda Legal will issue a more detailed advisory outlining the media availability of the plaintiffs and attorneys on oral argument day.***

Background

In December 2005, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit with the Polk County Court on behalf of six same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, arguing that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the liberty and equality guarantees in the Iowa State Constitution. In August of 2007 the district court ruled that denying marriage to same-sex couples is unconstitutional.  In March 2008, 15 friend-of-the-court briefs were filed supporting same-sex couples seeking the right to marry, and the right of their children to have the protection and support of married parents. Those briefs were signed by hundreds of Iowans including former Lieutenant Governors Joy Corning and Sally Pederson. The final decision in this case will be made by the Iowa Supreme Court.

Learn more about the briefs »

The Iowa case is: Varnum v. Brien

Camilla Taylor, Senior Staff Attorney and Kenneth Upton, Senior Staff Attorney are handling the case for Lambda Legal.  They are joined by former Iowa Solicitor General Dennis Johnson of Dorsey and Whitney in Des Moines.

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Lisa Hardaway O: 212-809-8585 ext: 266; E: lhardaway@lambdalegal.org