Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Law
Contextualizing Varnum V. Brien: A "Moment" In History, Patricia A. Cain
Contextualizing Varnum V. Brien: A "Moment" In History, Patricia A. Cain
Faculty Publications
Varnum v. Brien is the last case in a line of state constitutional law challenges in what has been a a fifteen-year campaign by LGBT public interest lawyers seeking legal recognition for same-sex couples. While the litigation may be over for now, the larger battle is just beginning. The Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling in Varnum will play a central role in this future battle. It stands as part of a major “moment” in the modern history of recognizing equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. This article describes the historical context in which Varnum was litigated and identifies three important “moments” …