Iowa

Relationship Recognition Information

Statewide Relationship Recognition
no Licenses marriages for same-sex couples.
no Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions.
no Relationship recognition for same-sex couples: None.

  • 2003 Iowa offers domestic partner benefits to employees, but not a registry.
  • 1998 Anti-marriage bill adopted. House Resolution 382 For the third consecutive year, House Republicans sponsored an anti-marriage bill that would discriminate against the lawful marriages of same-sex couples. Approved by the House in March, and by the Senate on March 26, with an amendment creating a task force on “domestic partnership.” Signed by Gov. Terry Branstad (R). Senate Bill 2187 Companion bill introduced by Judiciary Committee chair Andy McKean (R) and Larry McKibben (R). See Iowa Code § 595.2.1.

Employment Information

Statewide Employment Protections
yes Private employment protections based on sexual orientation.
yes Private employment protections based on gender identity.
no Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation.
- Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity.

Iowa’s executive order protecting public employees, Executive Order No. 7 (9/14/99), was repealed in December 2000. It was replaced by Executive Order No. 18 (3/28/01), which does not specifically mention sexual orientation.

Parenting Information

Statewide Parenting Laws
Who May Adopt Any unmarried adult; spouse must join petition unless excused by court. Iowa Code 600.
Second Parent Adoptions Approved in lower courts.

Cases

Alons v. Iowa District Court for Woodbury County
(Amicus) case urging the Iowa Supreme Court to throw out a case brought by an antigay organization challenging a district court’s decision to dissolve a lesbian couple’s civil union

Varnum v. Brien
Case seeking the right for same-sex couples to marry in Iowa

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Documents Related to Iowa