I have come to love living in Iowa. I suppose that before I took up the fight as a feminist, and prior to coming out of the closet and taking up the same-sex marriage fight, I hated it. I pretty much still hate the weather, but that's besides the point. This month has been a wonderful month, historic in Iowa!
April second, I drugged myself up with my sleeping pills. Not smart, I know. But the Iowa Supreme Court was to rule the next morning, and I totally knew I wouldn't sleep. I was terrified that we would loose, or that it would just be too close. I mean, with the election of Barak Obama and such, we just can't have too much good news around here. Obviously, I'm an optimist.
The ruling came out at the same time I had to go work, so I had an old friend text me. At a stop light, I picked up my phone and it said "Welcome home. Iowa is YOUR state now. It was a unanimous decision." My reaction? The same whenever something big happens. Nothing but a sigh of relief and a smile. After fighting so long, it's hard to revel in the fact that you won. (Here, anyway, there's still a lot of work to do!) I went inside and hugged my best friend, also a lesbian, and got to deliver the news to someone that she could get married. Througout the day I knew I helped in something life changing for many Iowans, potentially many people in the US. (As Iowa goes, so does the nation!) I was proud to be here.
Monday was the first day that same-sex couples could apply for their marriage liscenses. The atmosphere was...I cannot explain it. There was so much excitement and bliss hanging in the air. I was a little fearful, knowing the Westboro Baptist Church was planning to show (the God Hates Fags people) but they cancelled at the last second because our police officers would not provide them additional protection.
I did not get to go to the courthouse to witness the events, but I have known Shelley and Melissa Keeton, the same-sex couple who was first to get married here, for a few years. They have a beautiful son, and they are expecting a second. (Which was the reason for the waiver being granted to bypass the waiting period.) I did go to the Des Moines Social Club for a marriage day celebration, and watched the cake be cut. I may not be partaking in this ruling at this time, however, you cannot help but just grin with all of these jubilant couples behind you! These men and women, many of which have been together for a decade or more, all together celebrating equality being granted to same-sex couples in the state.
Now, as I mentioned, I am not getting married any time soon. But the really cool thing is that I never bothered to think about a wedding...I mean it wasn't going to happen anyway, so why think about it? Ok, that's not the cool thing, but I actually do want a wedding, and now I can start dreaming it up. Don't worry Jessica, my partner, whoever she will be, and I will hyphenate our names. Or does it really count with lesbians? Hmmm....at least now I can think about it!
I'm planning up my next topic, in my love affair with Iowa equality...I hear we have signed a bill to put equal wages of women into the bill of rights and tripled the penalties to companies! More research to be done before I really go into it. :)
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This gave me happy tears for you. I can't wait til we get it here in WA.