Mission

ONE IOWA
One Iowa is the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, committed to full equality for LGBT individuals, including the freedom to marry. Formed in 2005, the organization has been an effective advocate for the community. In coalition with progressive and political allies, recent achievements include

• Civil rights legislation to protect the LGBT community against employment and housing discrimination,
• Safe schools legislation establishing anti-bullying policies in Iowa’s schools,
• Civil marriage equality in Iowa – In April 2009, Iowa became the first state in the heartland to grant the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples.

THE ROUTE TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN IOWA
In 2005 six Iowa same sex couples represented by Lambda Legal filed suit against Polk County, claiming Iowa’s law denying civil marriage to same-sex couples violated the equal protection guarantees of the Iowa Constitution. In August of 2007, an Iowa District Court ruled in favor of the couples and the case was sent to the Iowa Supreme Court on appeal. On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, agreed with the lower court, clearing the way for gay and lesbian couples to marry in Iowa. On the evening of April 3, 2009 thousands of Iowans gathered across the state to celebrate the historic victory. Among the crowds and speeches, one phrase reverberated across Iowa: "Today, I’m so proud to be an Iowan!"

THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT THE FREEDOM TO MARRY
Immediately following the April 3, 2009 Supreme Court ruling, extremists wasted no time trying to undermine the historic victory. No less than four attempts were made at the Iowa State Legislature to challenge the ruling. With the work of One Iowa, our allies, support from fair-minded legislators each of these attempts failed. 


However, the struggle to maintain marriage equality is far from over. Opponents of equality have regrouped and we can expect a renewed effort in the 2010 legislative session to amend the Iowa Constitution to deny the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples. One Iowa is leading efforts to protect civil marriage equality. We have reached hundreds of thousands of Iowans through our television ads, public events, and our grassroots organizing activities. Thousands of Iowans have expressed their support for marriage equality and asked their elected officials to respect the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision.

PRESS CONTACT
For media inquiries or help identifying local spokespeople, please contact Justin Uebelhor, Director of Communications for One Iowa at 515-333-2525 or justin@oneiowa.org.