THE SHOT — Oh how we love our infographics that turn data stuffed into Excel spreadsheets into colorful displays we can actually understand. Like this one, from The Economist, which breaks down states that recognize various forms of gay unions with how many same-sex couples actually live there. Which means this week’s induction of marriage in Washington D.C. actually had the most profound effect on gays per capita. Not to make this a fight about which jurisdiction’s marriage equality laws are better, or anything!
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k6tmk6
Oh here comes the rip on the uncultured, rural gay hicks line. You know, you might want to re-think that line of yours. Despite the fact that Iowa has a low percentage of gays compared to others, like DC, wouldn’t you consider that face a strength? Anyway, gay marriage benefits in both districts are equivalent, it’s just that there are more to benefit from them is what I think you meant to say. Besides, Iowa can gloat about the fact that their representatives in Congress actually get to vote.
Pete
Iowa’s was a political ground-breaker in the MidWest. It was very important. DC’s is important in giving witness every single day to all the members of the US Congress, as well as to the Supreme Court. DC’s also is important for gays and lesbians of color all over America.
L.Single
If you actually take the time to look up the number of households in Iowa versus the District of Columbia and then do the math, you will see that there are more same-sex couples in Iowa who benefitted from marriage equality in Iowa versus in DC.
At any rate, what does a comparison of the number of same-sex couples per capita among states that offer some form of partnership recognition tell you? To make any kind of analysis or conclusion you need the numbers for states that do not offer any kind of recognition.
Cam
I think the fact that Iowa has LESS gays, and is generally considered a conservative state did a HUGE amount for gays. No longer can people just say “Oh, it’s just those East Coast Liberal States that give the Homos rights.” Iowa really throws a wrench into any of that talk.
TomW
You should go back and read some of the commentary from lawyers on the Iowa Supreme Court ruling. According to those who are in the know, the Iowa decision is one of the best written, best argued, least ambiguous rulings in favor of gay rights ever issued by an American court at that level. Courts pay attention to the rulings and argumentation of other courts and it is likely that Varnum v. Brien will come up in EVERY gay rights case in this country until the Federal supremes finally see the light and give us true equal rights.