The Iowa Supreme Court held in an unanimous decision today that the Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution.  The decision makes Iowa the first Midwestern state, and the forth nationwide, to allow same-sex marriages.  Pursuant to the ruling of the Court, same-sex marriages will be legal beginning on April 24, 2009.

The full ruling is available on-line at :  www.iowacourts.gov/supreme_court