Millions of Americans are celebrating today after Iowa’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that excluding gays and lesbians from marriage violates the state’s constitution.

Read the ruling, "The Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution."

The decision upheld a lower court’s ruling and makes Iowa the first Midwestern state to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Obviously gay activists are thrilled. This could help spark a change across the country, said former Bill Clinton adviser Richard Socarides:

I think it’s significant because Iowa is considered a Midwest sate in the mainstream of American thought. Unlike states on the coasts, there’s nothing more American than Iowa. As they say during the presidential caucuses, ‘As Iowa goes, so goes the nation.’

Gay marriage won’t go into effect immediately, of course, and won’t become law until the lower court approves it, according to the final conclusion: "The district court properly granted summary judgment to plaintiffs. Iowa Code section 595.2 violates the equal protection provision of the Iowa
Constitution. Our decision becomes effective upon issuance of procedendo." Still, this is a watershed moment for middle America, and one that will spark intense debate. So, readers, what are your thoughts on the Iowa decision?

Read what the Des Moines Register says about the ruling.