Varnum vs. Brien – Lambda Legal Marriage Equality Court Case

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, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled that prohibiting gay and lesbian couples from marrying is unconstitutional.

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)
  
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• Child Advocates Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
  Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
  
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• Family Law and Constitutional Scholars Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief and Motion for Leave
  
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• Iowa and National Faith Leaders and Scholars Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• Matrimonial lawyers, the Middleton Center for Children’s Rights, and pediatricians and family physicians Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
  Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
  
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• Certain Current and Former Iowa Elected Officials Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• Iowa Historians and Law Professors Iowa Supreme Court Brief
  
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• Howard University School of Law Civil Rights Clinic Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
  Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
  
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• Massachusetts Elected Officials and LGBT Organizations Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• Iowa Constitutional Law Professors Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• Iowa Civil Liberties Union, ACLU and Iowa National Organizations Concerned With Seniors and People With Disabilities Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• Freedom to Marry Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
  Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
  
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• Women's Organization Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• American Psychological Association Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• Civil Rights Groups Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
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• Scientists and Scientific Organizations Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief
  
  Varnum v. Brien (Amicus Brief)
  
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