Varnum v. Brien

• December 2005 Lambda Legal files marriage lawsuit in Iowa District Court for Polk County; case will ultimately be decided by the Iowa Supreme Court.
• April 2006 Twenty-six state legislators represented by an antigay legal organization move to intervene in the case as defendants.
• August 2006 Court denies legislators’ application, ruling that none of the legislators had interests in the case sufficient for intervention.
• August 2006 Plaintiffs move to amend their petition in order to add three of their children as parties, among other amendments.
• September 2006 Defendant resisted plaintiffs’ motion to add the children as parties.
• November 2006 Defendant moves for summary judgment.
• December 2006 Court grants plaintiffs’ motion to amend, including plaintiffs’ motion to add three of their children as parties.
• January 2007 Plaintiffs file resistance to defendant’s motion for summary judgment and cross-moved for summary judgment as well. Plaintiffs also file affidavits from leading child development and other experts who explain the need for marriage rights for same-sex couples. In support of plaintiffs’ summary judgment motion, Iowa faith leaders, scholars and religious groups file friend-of-the-court brief as does the Iowa Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a group of Iowa historians and law professors.
• March 2007 Defendant files reply brief.
• April 2007 Plaintiffs file reply brief.
• May 2007 Summary judgment hearing.
• August 2007 Victory! The Iowa District Court rules that it is unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples access to marriage. The opposition filed for an appeal and a “stay” on the decision the next day which were granted.
• August 2007 District court grants a stay of the decision, pending appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
• March 2008 Lambda Legal files our brief with the Iowa Supreme Court, and is joined by 15 friend-of-the-court briefs supporting same-sex couples seeking the right to marry and the right of their children to have their families treated fairly.
• December 2008 Oral arguments before the Iowa Supreme Court.
• April 2009 Victory! Iowa Supreme Court rules that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional.

Amended Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Supplemental Injunctive and Mandamus Relief (10/28/2011)

Reply in Support of All Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment (10/28/2011)

Matrimonial lawyers, the Middleton Center for Children's Rights, and pediatricians and family physicians Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Child Advocates Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Lambda Legal Proof Brief of Plaintiffs Appellees Iowa Supreme Court (10/28/2011)

Howard University School of Law Civil Rights Clinic Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Freedom to Marry Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Scientists and Scientific Organizations Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Family Law and Constitution Scholars Amicus Brief and Motion for Leave (10/28/2011)

Certain Current and Former Iowa Elected Officials Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Iowa Historians and Law Professors Iowa Supreme Court Brief (10/28/2011)

Women's Organization Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Massachusetts Elected Officials and LGBT Organizations Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

American Psychological Association Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Iowa and National Faith Leaders and Scholars Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Family Law and Constitutional Scholars Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief and Motion for Leave (10/28/2011)

Iowa Civil Liberties Union, ACLU and Iowa National Organizations Concerned With Seniors and People With Disabilities Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Civil Rights Groups Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Iowa Constitutional Law Professors Iowa Supreme Court Amicus Brief (10/28/2011)

Varnum v. Brien (Brief) (10/28/2011)

Varnum v. Brien (Brief) (10/28/2011)

Brief of Amici Curiae Professors of Law and History (10/28/2011)

Brief of Amicus Curiae of Iowa Faith Leaders, Communities and Scholars (10/28/2011)

Varnum v. Brien (Petition) (10/28/2011)

Ruling on Plaintiff's and Defendant's Motions for Summary Judgment (04/10/2013)

Supreme Court Decision (10/28/2011)

Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Supplemental Mandamus Relief for Marriage in Iowa (10/28/2011)