Varnum vs. Brien
In December, 2005, six Iowa couples represented by Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit in Polk County District Court seeking the freedom to marry in Iowa. In addition, hundreds of Iowans including faith leaders, lawmakers, and social science experts, filed an additional fifteen amicus briefs in support of the freedom to marry on behalf of the couples.
On August 30, 2007 an Iowa District Court judge ruled that denying gay couples marriage was unconstitutional. Twenty-four hours later, the judge issued a stay on his order; but in that time, 19 couples applied for marriage licenses and one couple actually got married, remaining Iowas only legally married gay couple.
On Friday, April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled that prohibiting gay and lesbian couples from marrying is unconstitutional. Read the decision.
Here is a complete listing of the amicus briefs filed on behalf of the plaintiffs:
- Lambda Legal Proof Brief of Plaintiffs Appellees Iowa Supreme Court
Varnum v. Brien (Brief)
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Child Advocates Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Family Law and Constitutional Scholars Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief and Motion for Leave
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Iowa and National Faith Leaders and Scholars Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Matrimonial lawyers, the Middleton Center for Children’s Rights, and pediatricians and family physicians Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Certain Current and Former Iowa Elected Officials Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Iowa Historians and Law Professors Iowa Supreme Court Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Howard University School of Law Civil Rights Clinic Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief
- Massachusetts Elected Officials and LGBT Organizations Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Iowa Constitutional Law Professors Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Iowa Civil Liberties Union, ACLU and Iowa National Organizations Concerned With Seniors and People With Disabilities Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Freedom to Marry Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Women's Organization Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - American Psychological Association Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Civil Rights Groups Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief - Scientists and Scientific Organizations Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
Visit the web page | View/print the PDF file of this brief
