Hi John, it’s Sen. Liz Bennett with the IA Senate Dems. 

Today marks the 15 year anniversary of Varnum v. Brien, a monumental case that legalized same–sex marriage in Iowa.

In 2007, the Honorable Judge Robert Hanson of the Polk County District Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to ban same–sex marriage – this decision was later upheld in a unanimous decision authored by Chief Justice Mark Cady of Iowa Supreme Court on April 3, 2009.

As the only LGBTQ+ Senator in Iowa who is out, I understand first–hand how important this ruling is. The IA Dems are committed to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all Iowans – will you chip in any amount to help us do that?

It might come as a surprise since our Republican-controlled state government has set a pattern of attacking rather than protecting our rights and freedoms, but Iowa actually has a long, rich history on human rights:

⚖️ 17 years before the Dred Scott decision, the Iowa Supreme Court “refused to treat a human being as property to enforce a contract for slavery and held our laws must extend equal protection to persons of all races and conditions” 

⚖️ 86 years before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down “separate but equal” in Brown vs. Board of Education, the Iowa Supreme Court had already ruled similar laws as unconstitutional 

⚖️in 1869, Iowa became the first state of the Union to admit women to the bar and allow them to practice law

Protecting human rights, safeguarding equality, and promoting opportunity are key Iowan values, but Senate Republicans are not honoring them.

Instead, they are spending time and precious taxpayer dollars defunding our AEAs and restricting abortion access. The ruling is clear: for the future of Iowa, Republicans cannot hold the Senate majority.

Flipping the Senate Majority for the future of Iowa starts with keeping the seats of incumbent Democratic Senators. Can I count on you to make a donation of $10, $20 or even $35 today to help us do that?

In solidarity,

Sen. Liz Bennett

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