Gay Marriage in Iowa!

“Progressive Iowan” may be considered an oxymoron by many unfamiliar with my state. But, as of today, Iowa is one of only three states in the U.S. to have legalized same-sex marriage. Take that, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois !

 On a more cynical note, this could give a boost to Iowa ’s economy as couples who are unable to marry elsewhere flock to our state.  In many cases, their home states that do not allow such marriages to occur will recognize marriages that occurred elsewhere, and Iowa, unlike many states, does not require that one be a resident in order to marry here.

In honor of this day, I am including below Shakespeare’s CXVI Sonnet. In the coffeehouse, this was ToddandViv’s poem. When they first met, Todd quoted this sonnet, and Vivian wrote the reference on his arm with a pen. Viv later inscribed Todd’s ring with CXVI ((gasp. They would now be able to come to Iowa to marry!)). Gothic Todd also scribbled this sonnet in a love letter to Gothic Viv. Ah! Those were good times.

Sonnet CXVI

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.

Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle’s compass come:

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

    If this be error and upon me proved,

          I never writ, nor no man ever loved. – William Shakespeare