'Huge Day,' Praise for SCOTUS: Eastern Iowans Respond to DOMA Ruling

Iowa legalized gay marriage in 2009 with a state Supreme Court ruling declaring it unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses. 

While a pair of U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Wednesday have greater impact elsewhere, gay marriage supporters across eastern Iowa joined in the celebration with supporters around the country. 

The Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday by a 5-4 vote. This paves the way for same-sex couples to receive federal benefits. Meanwhile, the Court declined to rule on California's gay marriage ban, Proposition 8, which paves the way for California to legalize gay marriage.