Iowa judge grants divorce to two lesbians

[Ficus]

http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4788993/22995747.html

<snip>
Iowa doesn't recognize gay marriage, but it already has a gay divorce.

A district judge in Sioux City has approved a divorce for two lesbians who were united in a civil union last year in Vermont.

Judge Jeffrey Neary's decree has angered some lawmakers, one of whom wants him thrown off the bench.

<snip>

State Sen. Neal Schuerer, R-Amana, a critic of same-sex marriage, accused Neary on Thursday of "judicial activism at its worst."

"The judge was wrong. He should have backed away and sent them back to Vermont," Schuerer said. "If judges want to flaunt the law like this, I can guarantee you we will move to recall them."
<snip>

Just as a side note, I worked in the Iowa Senate this last session, and Schuerer takes the cake for the my state's biggest elected jerk. (because I can't swear in posts, I can't say a whole lot about what I REALLY think of him)

[Ficus]

1. clearly

Senator Schuerer doesn't know the constitution is on our side.

[adriennel]

2. Vermont's Civil Unions

supposedly do not have a legal means of divorce. Is this true?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. Depends on prior case law in the state. In California, gay people can't

marry, but they can file for property rights and palimony due to the court's decision in Marvin vs. Marvin since the case did NOT address gender.

[Ficus]

7. apparently they do

in Iowa. I find it interesting that Iowa is now respecting the civil unions law (I didn't know that they did.) This now ensures another round of gay marrige questions for the candidates, and unfortunatley for local office holders here too. I hate cultural wedge issues.

[neuvocat]

3. Strange.

[Bill McBlueState]

4. but

if they don't like gay marriage, shouldn't they be excited about gay divorce? Weirdos. :eyes:

[Ficus]

6. really

that's one less "married" gay couple out there corrupting the "definition" of marriage.

You know if we allow divorce to gays, then we will have to allow divorce for palygomists (sp?) and people who practice bestiality.

</sarcasm>

[Ficus]

8. kick

it's an issue I think some people may be interested in