A lot of people (gays included) have put down the state of Iowa for years. But guess what?  They have done what most States in the country have been unable to do and that is their State’s Supreme Court passed a law (by a unanimous decision of the court) this month allowing same-sex marriages which was the third State behind Massachusetts and Connecticut to do so. A couple of days later Vermont passed the same law through their legislative system.  Hopefully the California Supreme Court will take some lessons from Iowa and will over-ride Proposition 8 and real soon!

Iowa has a long history of being in the forefront on social issues. It was among the first states to legalize interracial marriage. It was also a leader in school desegregation and women’s rights. There apparently is a big reason why politicians always go there for the first primary voting schedule.  For our readers who are not all that familiar with the State, it is about 300 miles wide.  The largest city and capital is Des Moines located in the center of the State.  The two University towns are Ames and Iowa City.  All of the major cites in Iowa offer fine museums, art galleries, live theatre production, opera and a vast array of entertainment venues.  The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines is among the most beautiful state capitols in the country. Arising in the East and facing westward toward downtown, the Capitol building with its 275-foot, 23-karat gold leafed dome towering above the city is a favorite of sightseers. Four smaller domes flank the main dome.

For accommodations, we recommend the Wickham House Bed  and Breakfast, http://www.cbbedandbreakfast.com/ They are located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just across the river from Omaha.  Since we have not had the pleasure of staying with them, we asked that they send us some information on themselves.

“Hello Donald and Ray:  We are so excited that you are featuring Gay Owned B&B's in Iowa and promoting the fact that Iowa is now recognizing same-sex marriages.  As you can imagine, we are elated at the opportunity to marry and finally be offered the same rights that straight married couples take for granted.

How we met… Trent and I were introduced by a mutual friend who was sick and tired of listening to us both complain about how there were no good men out there anymore.  Both of us had been in long-term relationships in the past that ended due to a lack of commitment from our exes.  Needless to say, we wanted to settle down with someone we could trust.  We met by phone first and talked for hours at a time, then met for our first date on September 21st, 2006.  Of course, it was love at first site.  Within a few months we moved in together.  After about a year, we were looking to move back to Iowa to be closer to Trent's Mom and saw our current house listed online.  Trent turned to me and said he had always wanted to own a B&B.  I laughed and said so had I, then I saw the pictures of the house and fell in love.  We called the realtor and looked at it that day. 

That’s how we ended up in the B&B business.  We moved  in to the home at the end of January of 2008.  The previous owner had operated the B&B for several years, but was winding the business down due to health issues.  We decided to take some time to make the place ours and re-opened for business in June of 2008.  In the first year at the B&B we added a bathroom to one of the guest rooms, remodeled the kitchen, painted almost all of the rooms, redecorated and put our gay touches on the house.  This year we are landscaping the back yard and making a relaxing oasis for our guests to enjoy outside and also renovating the suite on the second floor.  Trent and I love to meet new people and learn about them and their experiences.  We love to pamper our guests with spa-like robes and towels, 1000+ thread count bedding and excellent hospitality.  Breakfasts are served on antique Franciscan China.  I am an obsessive collector of 13+ Franciscan china and stoneware patterns and love to show them off during meals.  You get all of this, plus a location that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places!  

Trent and I are planning our wedding for June 27th of this year. Trent has always dreamed of a June wedding.  We will be having a small private ceremony in our home followed by a reception for our friends and family later that evening.  We are in the midst of planning every detail out since this will be a huge day for us, but also want to show people that our love is no different than any other love.  We just have the same plumbing...  Thanks again for asking us to participate in your story.  We hope to be together as long as the two of you and to be as happy!  I hope this gives you something to work with!”   --Jamie and Trent.

In Iowa City, we recommend the Brown Street Bed and Breakfast, http://www.brownstreetinn.com/. This is what the owners wrote to us about them:

Dear Donald and Ray: “We are delighted that you have chosen to feature Iowa and Iowa gay owned B and B’s in your upcoming column.  As I’m sure you know, Iowa is normally not the “hot bed” of gay culture, but with the recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling we certainly have begun to make inroads into the venue.  My partner and I have been in the B&B business for only 3 years, but have found it to be exciting and rewarding.

The variety of guests we have hosted from all over the world has been such a pleasure.  When we first met, over 20 years ago, I had just opened a small restaurant in west Branch, Iowa, about 10 miles east of Iowa City. My partner, Bob has been with the University of Iowa all this time as Director of Landscape Services.  We are both natives of Iowa and love the variety of travel experiences the state and this part of the Midwest has to offer.

We hope that our life long love and knowledge of the area gives us the ability to connect with our guests in helping them make the most of their stay and travels around the area. Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa is recognized as a very open and welcoming community for the gays.  The night of the Supreme Court ruling, there was a rally supporting the future of gay marriages in Iowa on the University Pentacrest, the center of campus, which was attended by 500 plus supporters.

As a University town, we are blessed with a vibrant cultural community, outstanding restaurants, numerous art galleries, an abundance of unique shops and the usual complement of college town bars.  Our Inn is located about 8 blocks north of campus and downtown Iowa City in the Brown Street historic district.  Visitors can park their car at the Inn and easily walk to a wide range of restaurants, shopping and campus activities.  In general, while we are a quiet college town in the middle of what many might consider “rural” environment, we have many interesting enjoyable diversions for a relaxing visit.  We enjoy visiting with our guests and helping them find restaurants, shops and activities to fill their visit.

Again, we are so pleased you have chosen to feature Iowa and especially our B and B in your upcoming article.  We look forward to it and maybe someday getting to meet you in person.  You life adventures sound extremely fascinating.” --Mark Ruggeberg, Innkeeper, Brown Street Inn.  Mark and Bob plan to be legally married but as yet have not set a date.

In all of the major cities in Iowa, they have an abundance of gay bars and night clubs.  Many have gay community centers and there are two MCC Churches in the state.  Many other churches welcomes gays.

Iowa has no residency requirement for getting a marriage license, which of course means that gays and lesbians from the entire Midwest as well as the West coast will be traveling there to get legally married.  You do not have to be a resident of Iowa.  Picture identification is required.  You also need to provide Social Security information.  No blood test is required.  The legal age is 18 in Iowa. There is a $30 charge for a marriage license. After you get your license there is a three day waiting period before you can get married. Check out http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriagelicenses/p/iowa.htm for marriage details.  Before going to Iowa to visit or to get married, check out http://www.traveliowa.com and http://www.seedesmoines.com/.

Same-Sex Marriage begins in Iowa on Monday, April 27^th.  And there is absolutely NOTHING that the religious right (which by the way are wrong) can do about it.  The law goes into effect April 27^th!  Period!  So what does I.O.W.A. stand for?  We think it stands for  Intelligent, Open-minded,  Wise Americans.  Next time you pass a car on the highway with Iowa license tags on their auto, honk, wave and give them the  thumbs up.  If all of the gay people in Iowa are as nice and committed as Jamie and Trent at the Wickham House B & B and Mark and Bob at the Brown Street Inn  we can certainly understand why the Supreme Court of Iowa did indeed grant same sex marriage to all gays.  After all, isn’t that what marriage should be about? ….. trust, security, love and commitment  GO IOWA!!!  We are SO PROUD OF YOU!

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!