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Property Law Keyed to Dukeminier
Varnum v. Brien
Facts
Six same sex couples that are productive, responsible individuals bring a civil rights action lawsuit representing six communities across the State of Iowa. Some have children and others are in the family planning stage, they hold jobs, contribute to society. They have not been permitted to be married in Iowa and challenge the 1998 statute that defines marriage as a union between only a man and a woman. The couples claim this ban violates certain liberty and equal protection rights including the fundamental right to marry, the right to privacy and familial association as guaranteed by the Iowa Constitution. The plaintiffs also claim the legislative and executive actions unconstitutionally discriminate against the couples on the basis of sexual orientation.
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