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Stories from yesterday’s ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court that unanimously struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage invariably mentioned that this all happened in a rural state. “Iowa became the third state in the country and the first from the rural heartland to legalize same-sex marriage…,” began the story in the Washington Post. The Associated Press story noted that only Massachusetts and Connecticut had permitted same-sex marriage prior to Iowa. Then:
John Logan, a sociology professor at Brown University, said Iowa’s status as a largely rural, Midwest state could enforce an argument that gay marriage is no longer a fringe issue. “When it was only California and Massachusetts, it could be perceived as extremism on the coasts and not related to core American values. “But as it extends to states like Iowa, and as attitudes toward gay marriage have evidently changed, then people will look at it as an example of broad acceptance,” Logan said.
Meanwhile, in Carroll, Iowa, Jackie Pudenz at Bridal Country is trying to figure out how to reconfigure her store. “We’re thinking it may be totally different for us now,” said Pudenz “We have had men come in and try on gowns. I’ve pretty much seen a lot of things. Now that it’s actually law, it takes on whole different aspect.” The Carroll Daily Times Herald reports that local elected officials promise to try to change the state constitution — and that Republicans will use the issue to help mobilize the party.
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