Camilla Taylor, lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the case appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, said it was not about issues of faith.
"All we're talking about is government-issued marriage licenses," said Taylor, who works for Lambda Legal. The national gay rights organization filed a lawsuit in 2005 on behalf of six same-sex Iowa couples; it was later amended to include three children whose parents are plaintiffs.
"There comes a point when you can't tell people to hold off on getting married any longer," Taylor said. "We felt the time was right, and that Iowans would give us a fair hearing."
But Bryan English, a spokesman for the Iowa Family Policy Center, which opposes same-sex marriage, said: "Iowa marriage law is settled, simple and overwhelmingly supported by the people of Iowa. We're just hopeful the Supreme Court will uphold the law."
In Iowa, officials with the Polk County attorney's office declined to comment on the impending Supreme Court debate.
Until a final ruling is issued, Sean Fritz and Tim McQuillan won't know how long their marriage will remain legally recognized in Iowa.
On the morning of Aug. 31, 2007, the two college students filled out the paperwork for a marriage license in Polk County, paid $5 to waive the normal three-day waiting period and found a judge to sign the waiver form.
A pastor at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines agreed to hold a quickly organized wedding on his front lawn, where it was witnessed by family and more than a dozen reporters.
Less than an hour after the couple received their marriage license, Hanson placed a hold on his ruling, pending the appeal.
That sort of rushed nuptial didn't appeal to either Jen BarbouRoske, 38, or her partner of more than 18 years, Dawn BarbouRoske. The couple -- plaintiffs in the case going before the Iowa Supreme Court -- has long wanted to get married in their hometown of Iowa City, for themselves and their two daughters.
" 'Marriage' describes the relationship Dawn and I have," said Jen, a nursing supervisor. Besides, she added, "it seems like a silly thing to have to explain to your kids: 'Oh, these are the rights we don't have.' "
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p.j.huffstutter@latimes.com
