Lawsuit seeks marriage rights for gays

[leQ]

i haven't been keeping track of the various lawsuits around the country, but i'm sure there are a number of them that should win. no?

County lawyers on Monday filed their first official response to the couples' lawsuit — a written "answer" that formally contests the couples' legal claims but takes no philosophical position on gay marriage. Assistant Polk County Attorney Mike O'Meara declined to comment.

Legal observers say the lawsuit, filed by a national gay-rights organization, is likely six months away from any kind of decision. And it'll likely take 18 months after that to resolve an almost-guaranteed appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Lawsuits similar to Iowa's are pending in California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Washington state, where a ruling is expected any day. Gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, while Vermont has allowed for lesser "civil unions" since 2000. Connecticut's voluntary civil union law, passed last year, is being challenged on grounds that it does not constitute marriage.

Des Moines Register