The first same-sex marriage in Iowa took place outside the Polk County recorder's office. In photo, Shelley Wolfe ( left ) holds partner Melisa Keeton's hands while Reverend Peg Esperanza says a prayer at the end of their service, announcing the couple legally married. Karen Utke, left, and partner Lori Blachford remain in high spirits as they wait outside the Polk County recorder's office to sign their marriage licenses. Photos by Matthew H. Smith
Love is in the air. Despite a weekend of rain and thunderstorms, it seems a big, bright rainbow has at last formed over the city of Des Moines, Iowa--at least figuratively. Same-sex couples came to the Polk County recorder's office Monday to sign their marriage licenses after the April 3 unanimous decision to legalize same-sex marriage in Iowa. The enthusiasm was evident as couples signed the document that said, "Yes, it's official. We're married."
"Definitely other states are looking at us right now," Jason Edge said of the historic event. "And as they say, as Iowa goes, so goes the nation." He and his partner of a year and a half, Tim Lord, signed their marriage license moments before.
Andrew Mahoney-Lam and Grant Lam were the first couple to arrive shortly after 6 a.m., April 27. "The rights are what we want," said Mahoney-Lam, who has been with his partner for three years. "When you say equal protection for all, you can't leave out just one class of citizen because you don't agree with them." They were one of the first couples to sign their marriage license. Since Iowa typically has a three-day waiting period for licenses, Mahoney-Lam and his partner went to the courthouse for a waiver so they could make their union official as soon as possible. The waiver was granted as many other couples followed suit. Mahoney-Lam said the process was very organized and very easy.
Yet none of this would be possible without the help of Lambda Legal and One Iowa. Justin Uebelhor is the communications director for One Iowa, the state's largest LGBT organization. One Iowa was founded in 2006 and has been working closely with Lambda Legal to make equality among LGBT couples a reality. Uebelhor hopes what has started in Iowa will continue to spread throughout the nation, as with the recent decision to legalize same-sex marriages in Vermont, effective in September. "It's really a monumental day and a monumental event for Iowa," he said.
Ingrid Olson and her partner of 11 years, Reva Evans, of Council Bluffs, have actually come back to Polk County, where their marriage license was initially rejected. They are one of six couples unable to attain legal rights to marry one another in the 2005 Lambda Legal case against Iowa, Varnum v. Brien. At the recorder's office with their son Jamison, the couple saw Monday as a moment in their life where everything they worked for reached a much-anticipated high point. "It feels right to be here," Olson said. "It's the pinnacle for everything because it's what we've waited so long for--that state recognition. It really is the key."
"I've just got this big smile on my face," Evans said. "This is all so surreal for me. I'm very excited. There are couples that have been waiting 25 to 30 years for this, so I'm very excited for them, too. And I'm just excited to see everyone and to see history in the making." Olson and Evans plan on having their wedding on June 15, their son's third birthday. "His family has finally come full circle," Olson added. "I think in a way that's a gift to him. When he gets older he'll understand what we were doing was protecting him and his interests."
Robin Lambrecht and her partner Sharon Weitzell celebrated the emotional aspect of their relationship four years ago with a Holy Union Ceremony. Lambrecht said it's nice to now have the legal recognition to back up her commitment with her partner. "We never thought this would happen so late in life," Lambrecht said. Both she and her partner are in their 60s.
For Nancy Robinson and Laura Fefchak of Urbandale, who were married in Canada in June 2006, today simply means their marriage will now be legally acknowledged by the state they reside in. "Now it no longer turns into a pumpkin when we come into Iowa," Robinson said of their Canadian nuptials.
Fefchak sees same-sex marriage as the civil justice issue of our time. "This will really change people's lives," she said. Fefchak said people from surrounding Midwest areas like Kansas City and Chicago now have someplace within driving distance that will accept their relationship. While she admits same-sex marriage won't be recognized upon returning to those states like Missouri or Illinois, she said, "It's a matter of time. We are so proud to be living in this place at this point of time."
Other couples see the signing of the marriage license as little more than a formality at this point. Lori Blachford has been in a committed relationship with her partner, Karen Utke, for 25 years. "We want the legal rights, and then we're gonna party," Blachford said.
But for Melisa Keeton and Shelley Wolfe, who have been together for two and a half years, Monday meant the world. Keeton and Wolfe already have a three-year-old son at home, and Keeton has another one on the way. Their official wedding--the first same-sex wedding performed in Iowa--took place outside the Polk County recorder's office after their waiver went through Monday morning. "It's a pretty powerful thing to hear, 'By the power invested in me,' and to have it legally mean something," Keeton said.
Looks like it's official. For many Iowans and same-sex couples across the nation, it's about time.
Readers can also follow Matt Smith's personal experience of this historic event on his blog at www.mattyfactory.com or follow him on mattyfactory.blogspot.com .
