LOS ANGELES - April 3 - Today the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously voted to strike down the state's ban on marriage for same-sex couples. The historic ruling makes Iowa the first Midwestern state to uphold equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Reacting to the decision, Equality California (EQCA) Marriage Director Marc Solomon said:

"The Iowa Supreme Court's ruling protects the state Constitution's promise of equality for all Iowans, including same-sex couples, and ultimately it helps advance the democratic principles of freedom and equality for all Americans.

"The Court understands the tremendous significance of marriage, and that domestic partnerships and civil unions simply do not provide the same dignity and protections that come with marriage.

The Iowa Court's decision should send a strong message to the California Supreme Court that discrimination should not be enshrined in the California Constitution whose purpose it is to protect the freedoms of all Californians."

Equality California is a plaintiff in the legal challenge against Prop. 8, which revised the Constitution by defining marriage as between one man and one woman, stripping same-sex couples of their right to marry. The California Supreme Court will issue its ruling by June 3.