Iowa, I hardly knew ye

From the AP:

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Iowa's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage Friday in a unanimous and emphatic decision that makes Iowa the third state — and first in the nation's heartland — to allow same-sex couples to wed.

My first thought was, "Great! Finally we're starting to get it right."

My second thought was, "Wait....Iowa?"

See, I'm conservative in a lotta ways. But when it comes to some social issues...like this...I'm a raging, teeth-gnashing Liberal. With a capital L.

No doubt most people will attribute my liberal streak to being a soul-less, god-less atheist. (HA! The spell-check thingy thinks I've misspelled "atheist".) Actually, I don't think my non-belief in a higher deity has much to do with it. I believe it's more about common sense and pragmatism.

And really, it's all about the word "marriage", isn't it? I've never understood what the big deal is. If it makes all the bible-thumpers so friggin hinky to call a union between two men or two women marriage, then call it something else. "Civil union". "Legal union". Hell, call it whatever ya wanna. Just let 'em have the same rights as a heterosexual married couple.

Let's face it...a lot of us heteros...about 50% or so...haven't exactly been the poster child for what we think of as "traditional" marriage, have we? Who the hell are we to judge? If belief in a religion gives y'all that kinda judgmental power...well, I'll have the cheesecake, please.

If a gay or lesbian couple can sustain a loving, lasting relationship, make a home and create a loving family well, by gawd...let 'em do it. Maybe they can do it better than us.

You love who you love. I don't think you can change that any more than you can change the fact that you're born Chinese...or you're born needing to breathe oxygen...or you're born with blue eyes.

You love who you love. For better or worse.

Aaanywho...so I said my second thought was "Wait...Iowa?"

The conservative, cornfield and cow Iowa? The Amish Iowa? The heart of the midwest Iowa? The flag and mom and apple pie Iowa?

Then, I read this:

Iowa has a history of being in the forefront on social issues. It was among the first states to legalize interracial marriage and to allow married women to own property. It was also the first state to admit a woman to the bar to practice law and was a leader in school desegregation.

Iowa. Huh. I'll be damned. (and I know some people will agree)

I'm pretty sure that some of those same people that would agree that I'm damned also believe that interracial marriage, desegregation and allowing women to own property should still be illegal.

So there ya go.