The Iowa decision, like the Connecticut decision, splits the difference. It does not subject legislation burdening gays to the "strict scrutiny" that legislation classifying on the basis of race triggers. But it does subject legislation burdening gays to something more than the highly deferential "rational-basis review" drawn by ordinary legislation.

None of these similarities should eclipse the unprecedented nature of the Iowa decision. The three prior decisions were all 4-3 votes. The Iowa court's decision is 7-0.