• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Gay couples try to get marriage licenses in Johnson County

Gay couples try to get marriage licenses in Johnson County

February 28, 2004 By admin

Johnson County Recorder Kim Painter says forty same-sex couples arrived as planned to request marriage licenses Friday afternoon at the courthouse. Painter’s response was to tell them that there’s an Iowa law limiting marriage to a male and a female, and in line with her oath of office and the advice of the county attorney, she would not issue licenses. Painter says she never considered breaking Iowa’s “Defense of Marriage” law that was passed a few years ago and giving out marriage licenses to the gay couples. She says that would probably have harmed the gay and lesbian community, leaving them open to charges that they can’t be trusted in public office and would “hand out marriage licenses” despite the law. Painter says she herself would like to marry her partner of several years, and says it’s important to show people that there are committed gay couples who have families right here in Iowa and want the legal right to marry. Many, she says, are people she knows — people of all ages, professors at the University of Iowa, professionals with world reputations in their fields of expertise. Painter says the people came to the recorder’s office, and were turned away, as a public act with a message. Painter says it’s important for Iowans to see them denied, see the individuals and hear the stories of their lives, and think about how the laws affect them.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Homosexuals

Featured Stories

Bill would limit placement of solar arrays on farm ground

Marquette casino moving to land, leaving only 2 casino boats in Iowa

Reynolds signs her ‘school choice’ bill into law

Governor Reynolds touts 2024 Iowa Caucuses in Inaugural Address

University of Iowa grad presiding over U.S. House Speaker vote

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

No coaching changes coming for Iowa football

Iowa State names new receivers coach

No. 2 Iowa visits No. 1 Penn State in wrestling dual Friday night

Iowa’s Clark brings increased exposure to women’s basketball

No. 18 Iowa State women visit TCU

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC