DES MOINES -- A Polk County, Iowa judge on Wednesday ruled that the Iowa Department of Public Health must issue a new birth certificate in the names of a lesbian couple who are the parents of a now 2-year-old girl.

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann on Wednesday announced her exit from the race for the White House — much to the delight of LGBT advocates who abhorred the anti-gay positions she espoused during her campaign.

One leading advocate called 2011 an “epic” year for marriage equality. Was it? While only one state -- New York -- enacted full marriage rights for same-sex couples, it was the most populous state to do so. Five other states also moved closer to marriage equality than ever before. Public opinion shifted dramatically towards supporting equality. And the Obama administration announced that it no longer considers a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act constitutional.

Bob Vander Plaats’ endorsement of Rick Santorum has produced a backlash among conservatives in Iowa, some of whom are accusing the "Family Leader"president of engaging in “pay for play” schemes and selling his coveted support to the highest bidder.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa -- At a campaign stop in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Tuesday, GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich told a longtime resident of Oskaloosa that he should vote for President Obama rather than expect his support of gay Americans.

CLARION, Iowa -- Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann, stumping in Iowa with her husband Marcus on Sunday, dismissed a self-described "gay-friendly Iowan," telling her that the Kinsey Report has "been a myth for several years."

DECORAH, Iowa -- At a campaign stop in Iowa on Sunday, Texas Governor and GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry found himself explaining to a 14-year-old girl -- who later told reporters she was bisexual -- why he opposed gays serving openly in the military.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- GOP presidential hopeful and front runner, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, on Thursday attacked the LGBTQ community, first on the subject of same-sex marriage, and then on the topics of sexual orientation and the repeal of "Don't Ask-Don't Tell."

Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich has affirmed his support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, but stopped short of signing a controversial marriage pledge that calls for "vigorous" opposition to same-sex marriage rights.

AMES, Iowa -- Texas Governor and GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry was met by hecklers during a campaign stop in Ames, Iowa on Sunday, continuing to catch heat for an anti-gay campaign ad released last week in which he said that gays serving openly in the military is a sign of what's wrong with America.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A lesbian couple in Iowa -- where gay marriage is legal -- was caught off guard when the baker they approached for their wedding cake told them that she is Christian, and because of her convictions couldn't bake their cake.

A victory for DOMA repeal in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but now it faces even greater hurdles in the full Senate. An election night victory in Iowa means marriage is safe, for now; but polling in Minnesota shows cause for alarm. Activists raise the stakes in Washington, Maryland, Oregon, and Maine.

The National Organization for Marriage is finally commenting on its embarrassing loss Tuesday night in the Iowa state senatorial election. From NOM Cultural Director Thomas Peters comes a tweet which should be remembered.

It was a big night for many openly gay and lesbian candidates across the nation, with several races resulting in first-time victories for openly LGBT candidates in several state and local governments.

Iowa Democrat Liz Mathis was victorious in a special Iowa state Senate race on Tuesday, allowing her party to retain control of the chamber, blocking Republican efforts to overturn the state's gay marriage law.