I live in the state that pioneered gay marriage; Massachusetts. It seems nationally we are viewed as the bleeding liberal, but lets not forget where Mitt Romney came from. Also in 2004 when gay marriage became legal here opponents petitioned for a ballot to put the issue to a vote. They got the 100,000 signatures required but fortunately the current governor and the legislature were able to put a roadblock on it. If gay marriage were to be put on a voters ballot in ANY state, surely it would not pass as clearly stated in California with proposition 8. That being said if civil rights issues regarding race were voted on in the 60's and 70's they would have had an unfortunate outcome then as well. Some people may not like the decisions of supreme court justices deciding on these issues, but that seems to be what it takes. In Vermont the state house and senate passed gay marriage last week yet the Republican governor promises to veto it, the law being passed lies in the hands of one man in Vermont.
Honestly I never thought much about Iowa. I veiwed it as just another heartland state. I've been to Missouri before so I know the character of the people in the heartland is quite nice. No pretentiosness, just friendly and seemingly honest hardworking folk. Iowa first got my attention when Obama won the caucuses in early 2008 which no doubt set the tone for his succesful presidential campaign. I thought, wow they are more progressive than I thought. Gay marriage in Massachusetts and Connecticut seemed almost predictable in those seemingly deep Blue states. I'm pleasantly surprised with the Iowa supreme court decision and I think it sends a message to the rest of the country that many other states can do just the same.
Clearly there are opponents to gay marriage just as they strongly voiced their opinions here in Massachusetts back in 2004. Well the sky hasn't fallen here in Mass, nor has it had any impact on heterosexual marriage by any stretch of the imagination and we are all doing just fine here with legal gay marriage. If you don't believe in gay marriage then don't get one, but don't impose on my civil rights. I'm very proud of Iowa and I view the state and it's people very positively. Way to go Iowa!