The Iowa Supreme Court in 2009 voted 7-0 that the Defense of Marriage Act that forbid same sex couples from marrying violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. The judges, appointed by both Democratic and Republican Governors, agreed.
This past election, 3 of the 7 judges were up for a retention vote. All 3 were defeated. The current Governor, who appointed 3 of the 7 that voted for the equal protection plan has yet to appoint the new justices causing some harms.
Emboldened by this retention vote, the Iowa House passed HJR 6 to put a constituitonal amendment before the Iowa voters that would ban gay marriage. More over the fold.