CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A county judge who approved a divorce for a lesbian couple who obtained a civil union in Vermont, saying he didn't realize he was signing a settlement for a same-sex couple, has ultimately decided to let his decision stand. State senator Neal Schuerer accused judge Jeffrey Neary on Thursday of "judicial activism at its worst." "The judge was wrong. He should have backed away and sent them back to Vermont," said Schuerer, a Republican. "If judges want to flaunt the law like this, I can guarantee you we will move to recall them." Neary, a district judge for Woodbury County, said he routinely signs divorces and doesn't check the participants' gender. When he discovered what had happened, he confronted Dennis Ringgenberg, attorney for one of the women. "I said this is probably going to be a controversial matter at some point in time," Neary said, "and he smiled and said, 'You're right."' Neary, who was appointed in January by Gov. Tom Vilsack, said he had the opportunity to change his mind but decided against it--the divorce was permissible, he said, under a constitutional clause that requires states to recognize laws of other states. "If I'm presented with a dispute that has to be resolved in my courtroom, or is before me that affects the rights of Iowans, I feel an obligation to solve that problem," Neary said. "I don't believe I'm recognizing same-sex marriage." The women, Kimberly Brown, 31, and Jennifer S. Perez, 26, who have Sioux City addresses, were joined in a civil union March 25, 2002, in Bolton, Vt. Judges in Texas and Connecticut have rejected requests for civil-union divorces, said University of Iowa law professor Ann Estin. "You can go to Vermont and have a civil union, but you can't, until now, go to another state and have a civil union divorce," she said. Daniel Bray, an Iowa City lawyer and chairman of the Family Law Section of the Iowa bar association, said the law is clear that marriage can exist between only a man and woman in Iowa. "A divorce can be entered only when there is a valid marriage," he said. Iowa is one of 37 states whose law bans same-sex marriage. At the same time, Bray said, Neary acted appropriately--in this case, he signed a settled agreement, and it wasn't incumbent upon him to determine the participants' gender. "There are no floodgates being opened here. The issue here is that our law must constantly adapt to change in the family. Iowa has been a forerunner in making legal adaptations to legal challenges involving the family. "
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
31 Period Films of Lesbians and Bi Women in Love That Will Take You Back
December 09 2024 1:00 PM
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
These 13 major companies caved to the far right and stopped DEI programs
January 24 2025 1:11 PM
True
Latest Stories
A trans military ban with far-reaching consequences
January 29 2025 5:00 PM
EEOC won't advocate for trans and nonbinary people, in keeping with Trump's 'two sexes' order
January 29 2025 4:26 PM
Brittney Griner says she will sign with the Atlanta Dream, celebrates career 'rebrand'
January 29 2025 2:57 PM
What does it mean to transition? A journey with your Lovable Trans Auntie
January 29 2025 11:00 AM
The Smithsonian erased more than a queer Cuban artist's AIDS artwork
January 29 2025 10:50 AM
Rubio exempts PEPFAR's HIV relief from Trump's spending pause
January 29 2025 10:19 AM
Trump's latest order will devastate innocent trans youth and their families
January 29 2025 9:25 AM
Seeking escape, this lesbian sailed to the top of the world
January 29 2025 7:30 AM
Trump’s new White House Press Secretary targets transgender people in first briefing
January 28 2025 6:24 PM