Iowa Court to Consider Same-Sex Marriage

Well, this could be interesting:

The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in a pivotal same-sex marriage case that could echo throughout the nation and be far more difficult to challenge at the ballot box than a high-profile ruling in California, legal experts say.

The lawsuit, filed by six same-sex Iowa couples, pits gay rights supporters against those who argue that gay marriage threatens traditional family values.

Among the principals in the case are Kate Varnum and Trish Varnum of Cedar Rapids. Trish changed her last name two years ago, and the couple had a commitment ceremony in 2004. But they still would like to marry.

"We hope that day comes sooner than later," Kate Varnum says. "I think Iowa has been ahead of the curve on civil rights. I'm proud to live here. I think Iowans are very fair minded."

The lawsuit also includes David Twombley and Larry Hoch, a couple from Urbandale, Iowa, who say they would like to marry after nearly eight years together.

Hoch casts the court battle as another step toward civil rights nationwide. "I firmly believe that it will happen," he says.