• Civil marriage equality effective at the state level since 2009. (Same-sex couples may legally marry.)

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

• Iowa was the fourth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, after Massachusetts, California and Connecticut.
• On 2 November 2010, Iowa Supreme Court justices David Baker, Michael Streit, and Marsha Ternus, who participated in the unanimous 2009 ruling that Iowa could not deny marriage licenses based on sexual orientation, were removed from office via judicial retention elections. Their removal followed campaigning by groups opposed to same-sex marriage, including the National Organization for Marriage. The three judges did no campaigning on their own behalf, but were supported by numerous third parties.