Fallout from Iowa

When solidly midwestern Iowa's top court ruled that same-sex couples cannot be denied marriage, people correctly took it as an indicator that it was not just a bi-coastal, liberal thing.

So, yes, I think it can be taken as much wider support and increasing momentum for gay marriage. Of course, opponents are trying to use this to rouse the troops (and money) again, and they will mount a constitutional amendment campaign.

But, unlike California, it will have to pass in two different legislative sessions before it can be put to the voters. That means two more years, at least, during which time many gay and lesbian couples will marry; and Iowans will see that the sky doesn't fall, that heterosexual marriage has not been affected, and so what's the big deal?

But there's another aspect to the effect of gay marriage coming to the heartland: jealousy and shame. There are murmurings from ordinary people -- as well as politicians -- in New York and California:

Iowa ??? How can we let Iowa lead the way out of the closet? That is the role of liberal New York and California, where trends are supposed to start.

So maybe it will spur them on. In New York, the governor and both senators support it. In California, the governor supports it. I'm not sure about Senators Feinstein and Boxer; they're probably close, if not already on board; and certainly they would not work against it.

Ralph