One of my Ten Years of Connections companions has made the news!

On April 3rd, 2009, the Iowa state Supreme Court’s made an unanimous 7-0 decision ruling that the equal protection provision of Iowa Constitution guarantees gay and lesbian couples the same right to marry as heterosexual couples. As a result of the court’s decision in Varnum v. Brien, Iowa becomes the first state in the Midwest and the third in the nation to now recognize marriages for gay and lesbian couples.

Jenny Harvey and her spouse, Chris Patterson, are one of the many same-sex couples in Iowa who, today, have applied for a marriage license. Today was the first day couples could apply for their marriage license.

Jenny sent this email, giving voice to her experience of being part of this monumental day. Included in the email is this link to the Des Moines Register and pictures from the courthouse this morning. Jenny and Chris were one of the few couples with children and created a great photo-op with their daughter, Harper.

Note: Jenny is a Professor of Religion at Drake University. I met Jenny my first year at Union. We were both in the M.Div program and when I started Union Jenny was already in her second year. Jenny and I became running buddies, taking long runs in Riverside Park early in the mornings. Jenny went on to get her Ph.D from Union in Christian Ethics.

Here is Jenny's testimony from this morning:

Greetings beloveds,

As most of you know, today in Iowa same-sex couples were recognized in state law as having the same rights as “non-same-sex couples” : )....it’s been quite the party in Iowa. Whatever one thinks about the lgbt movement having made marriage the central focus in its struggle for equality, it was a pretty amazing thing to be down at the County Recorder’s Office this morning with dozens and dozens of other couples, many of whom have been together for decades, and to walk into the Recorder’s office and be officially recognized as “spouses.” I was particularly moved by the many, many heterosexual allies who were there celebrating with/for us, even handing out bouquets to newly ‘licensed’ couples (most couples have to wait three days before being having their license signed and thus made official). Even though Chris and I made a commitment to one another and took vows more than two years ago, I found myself very, very moved. And, I find myself very, very proud of Iowa.

Anyway, as you probably won’t find surprising, Miss Harper’s presence caused quite the media response—there weren’t any other babies down there—so we’ve found ourselves in the press today. There are several ops of us in the Des Moines Register, in their story. Here’s the link:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=D2&Date=20090427&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=427001&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

And, it’s possible we may find ourselves in other press as several Associated Press folks were there. So, keep yours eyes open! Also, we gave a longer interview yesterday evening to (gulp) Fox News (they needed someone to represent). Hopefully they will craft a fair and positive story. We’re told it should run this evening, most likely on the 6 and 7 o’clock (Eastern time) Cable channel. We don’t know about the non-cable channel.

Anyway, wanted to share. It’s a bit surreal.

Jen