In an unexpected move, today the Iowa Supreme Court struck down a state law that banned same-sex marriage. In the unanimous decision, the court effectively ruled that same-sex marriages were legal in the state, making Iowa the third state to allow same sex marriages. The new rules will come into effect in as soon as 3 weeks.
While this may seem like a win for the gay community, I beg to differ. Iowa is a very conservative state, and while the law as ruled down, it was passed in the first place. The people of Iowa are mostly corn farmers who hold their beliefs and value systems in high regard. They may not be the most educated state in the country, but I would argue that it is one of the smartest states in the country. Iowa know how to use the system. There is a reason that they are the first state to hold their primary presidential elections, and refuse to move to Super Tuesday. They know that the government wants to keep the voters happy so the Iowa people will keep them in office come election time. This comes out in numerous subsidies that the corn industry receives.
Moving back to the issue at hand, The people of Iowa know how to get things done. They first passed the law to ban same-sex marriage. That has now been struck down. Do the people of Iowa give up and allow something that they came together as a people to ban, absolutely not. They will come together again and change their constitution.
Is this possible? If it is, will it happen? Yes! How can we know that? It has happened already. Iowa's neighbor to the west, Nebraska, went through this a few years ago. I would know, I lived there. Initiative 416 was the movement to change the Nebraska Constitution to effectively ban gay marriage. Was 416 contested? Yes. Were there hateful actions preformed on both sides of the issues? Of course. Was I called out at school in the middle of class and yelled at by a girl throwing out labels like bigot? You bet, but 416 still passed. Not only did it pass, it passed by a large margin. As much hate that came my way, including people destroying my property and dumping their cigarette trays in my driveway, the people made a decision and did not let the screaming of a few influence the laws that bind everyone.
Will this be the case in Iowa? Most likely it will be. The religious component of Iowa is very strong. Not only will the small churches push for the change, but the larger churches are willing to add their support. The ruling from the Supreme Court is not planed to be contested, but I would be very surprised if the constitution was not changed to override the Courts. It may seem a victory for now, but the people will undoubtedly come together and show the they still disagree with gay marriage, don't want to allow it, and will do what it takes to make their "quiet voices" heard.
While this may seem like a win for the gay community, I beg to differ. Iowa is a very conservative state, and while the law as ruled down, it was passed in the first place. The people of Iowa are mostly corn farmers who hold their beliefs and value systems in high regard. They may not be the most educated state in the country, but I would argue that it is one of the smartest states in the country. Iowa know how to use the system. There is a reason that they are the first state to hold their primary presidential elections, and refuse to move to Super Tuesday. They know that the government wants to keep the voters happy so the Iowa people will keep them in office come election time. This comes out in numerous subsidies that the corn industry receives.
Moving back to the issue at hand, The people of Iowa know how to get things done. They first passed the law to ban same-sex marriage. That has now been struck down. Do the people of Iowa give up and allow something that they came together as a people to ban, absolutely not. They will come together again and change their constitution.
Is this possible? If it is, will it happen? Yes! How can we know that? It has happened already. Iowa's neighbor to the west, Nebraska, went through this a few years ago. I would know, I lived there. Initiative 416 was the movement to change the Nebraska Constitution to effectively ban gay marriage. Was 416 contested? Yes. Were there hateful actions preformed on both sides of the issues? Of course. Was I called out at school in the middle of class and yelled at by a girl throwing out labels like bigot? You bet, but 416 still passed. Not only did it pass, it passed by a large margin. As much hate that came my way, including people destroying my property and dumping their cigarette trays in my driveway, the people made a decision and did not let the screaming of a few influence the laws that bind everyone.
Will this be the case in Iowa? Most likely it will be. The religious component of Iowa is very strong. Not only will the small churches push for the change, but the larger churches are willing to add their support. The ruling from the Supreme Court is not planed to be contested, but I would be very surprised if the constitution was not changed to override the Courts. It may seem a victory for now, but the people will undoubtedly come together and show the they still disagree with gay marriage, don't want to allow it, and will do what it takes to make their "quiet voices" heard.
No comments:
Post a Comment