Gay marriage ruling's impact on Iowans subtle, yet powerful.

[Inspired]

There was an article on the front page of The Des Moines Sunday Register today. I thought it might be interesting for folks outside of Iowa to read about how this ruling has changed, or not changed, life in Iowa. I am a 50 year old, straight, married woman who has seen first hand how the culture in my state has changed over the past few years. I continue to be amazed at how progressive my home state is. Yes, we do have a population who wants to fight this court ruling. But today, our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters can marry.

You can get married in IOWA!

I can't begin to tell you how proud I am to be an Iowan. We don't have mountains or ocean views. (Iowa is not flat though!) But what we do have, today, is priceless. We have equality for everyone in the middle of the heartland. AND...we have our annual Capital City PrideFest this weekend!

Iowa, you make me smile!

Here is a link to the article. (The online version is condensed from the print article.)

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090614/NEWS/906140353

[DBoon]

1. please tell us the secret

What is it about Iowa that makes it so much more progressive than neighboring states?

[Inspired]

4. Well, Illinois and Minnesota are pretty liberal.

I really don't know what it is. We do have some great liberal colleges. Grinnell and the University of Iowa come immediately to mind. There are pockets of conservatism though. This ruling will be fought but I hope with everything I have that the good people of Iowa prevail.

[bicentennial_baby]

2. It was SO awesome to see the Iowa state flag

on a float in Boston Pride yesterday, honoring the states that have marriage equality. :D

[Inspired]

3. That would have been great to see. I would have cried with pride!

[theHandpuppet]

5. And as I've suggested before....

When/if you make those vacation plans, we of the GLBT community should spend our monies in those states that have supported US! There are plenty of beautiful and welcoming places not only in New England but in Iowa, and that's where our money should be spent.

And the message we will send is: Equal rights for all is GOOD FOR BUSINESS! :-)

[Neecy]

6. I've been to Iowa a couple of times

And it really is a beautiful place, if you can avoid the corporate hog farms. Green, rolling hills and Des Moines has some good restaurants. Nice people, too.

The high point of visiting Iowa is always getting a pork tenderloin sandwich, something that Iowa has perfected.

[Inspired]

7. That would be nice....I wish we had a little more to offer.

But USA Today a few years ago listed the Iowa State Fair as the 2nd best vacation destination in the country. So at least that's something!