Reactions to Iowa’s High Court’s gay marriage ruling

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday morning that gays and lesbians have the constitutional right to marry. That decision has sparked an avalanche of response from pro- and anti-gay organizations.

 Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously Friday morning that the state’s same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples, making it the first state in the mid-west to legalize gay marriage.

Marriage Equality USA says it is glad to see that “the value of fairness and equality for all has resonated today in America’s heartland.”

The Human Rights Campaign says the court’s decision “strengthens Iowa families and makes a strong statement for equality all across the nation.” It says the Iowa Supreme Court “did its job” by acknowledging that same-sex families deserve the same respect as heterosexual families. But while gay rights advocates are cheering the court’s decision, conservative groups are calling it judicial tyranny and accusing the court of ignoring the will of the people.

Right-wing legal advocacy group the Alliance Defense Fund says the court overstepped its boundaries and has “overruled the will of the people and created new law.”

Phyllis Schlafly’s group Eagle Forum calls the court’s decision “a wake-up call to Americans that traditional marriage is under assault,” even in traditionally conservative states. The group says that only elected representatives can make laws–not judges.

— Amanda Magnus