Same-Sex Couples Marriage Victory in Iowa a Win for Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic
Media contact: Sonia von Gutfeld 212-854-1453 [email protected]
Public Affairs Office 212-854-2650 [email protected]
New York, April 3, 2009 — The Iowa Supreme Court ruled today that a 1998 law limiting marriage to a man and a woman was unconstitutional. Contributing to this landmark case, the Law School’s Sexuality & Gender Law Clinic submitted an amicus brief in the case, Varnum v. Brien, almost one year ago to the day (March 28, 2008) on behalf of several Iowa constitutional law professors.
“This is a tremendous victory for gay and lesbian couples and for all who care about equality,” said Suzanne B. Goldberg, clinical professor and director of the Sexuality & Gender Law Clinic. “The Court recognized that the state’s equality guarantee cannot tolerate having rules that single out gay couples and exclude them from marriage.”