“DOMA’s Dead; Love Lives,” the city of Ames reacts to the law repealed to give equal rights for gay marriage.  A rally of around 150 students and families showed their support with personal stories, colorful posters, and rainbow flags.

DOMA, Defense of Marriage Act, was a law that allowed states to refuse to recognize the rights of same-sex marriage performed under the laws of other states. DOMA was voted unconstitutional Wednesday at 9:00 am.

Patricia and Kim Spangler, members of PFLAG, or the Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays association, organized the event for the town of Ames. Both spoke at the rally of the necessity for an equal chance for everyone, regardless of orientation.

State representative Bev Wessel-Kroschell was one among many speakers at the rally. “Obama promised to go state-by-state and work to bring equality to every state,” she said among many cheers. “I’m proud to be from the first Midwestern state to accept marriage equality.”

“We want to bridge the gap between the church and the LGBTQ community,” said Zach Houborg, a student at Iowa State and involved in many LGBT organizations such as YSS. “We should be able to practice religion without worrying about who we are.”

75-year-old Keith Schrag shared his story as well. He was married for 25 years and had children before he came out as gay. “Back in the ’40s and ’50s, when I was growing up, you would never have seen anything like this,” Schrag said.

“I think it’s very important for the LGBTQ youth out there to know they’re not alone, or else they suffer. We have to do much better for them.”

The Greater Ames LGBT Alliance, or GayLA, was also there with a banner. They are planning to march in the Fourth of July parade, showing awareness of the LGBTQ cause in Iowa.

Every speaker at the rally had a positive message, but all ended with the same remark: although we have made great strides towards equality, we still have a long way to go.