There is new hope for Gay Marriage equality in the United States as same sex couples in the City of Des Moines & Polk County, Iowa were legally allowed to marry briefly this morning.  University students Sean Fritz and Tim McQuillan became the first legally married gay couple in the state of Iowa

On Thursday August 30th 2007, Polk County Judge Robert Hanson ruled that Iowa's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which allowed marriage only between a man and a woman, violated the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection of six gay couples who had sued.

He also ordered that marriage licenses be made available in the county, and several couples took advantage of the oppurtunity in the brief period that it existed.  However, County Attorney John Sarcone inniated an appeal the the Iowa Supreme Court and asked Judge Hanson for a stay on his order require marriage licenses be available to same sex couples.  The stay was granted and only those with existing marriage licenses can now be wed as no new requests will be granted.

Next step is the Iowa Supreme Court, but more importantly today gives us hope to continue and fight for marriage equality.  Lambda Legal representing six couples sued the Polk County Recorder's Office in 2005 after being denied marriage licenses.  Lambda Legal will continue to fight to the supreme court.

Lambda issues a statement saying, "This is the first marriage case launched in the American Midwest and shows that fairness and equality for all are valued across our nation. The decision brings to life the Iowa Constitution's promise of equality for same-sex couples and their families. This case now moves forward, and the Iowa Supreme Court will ultimately have the final decision."