In a country that has condemned discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity and everything else under the sun, it seems as though gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans comprise the only remaining group of Americans deemed unworthy of equality. With yesterday’s ruling, though, the Iowa District Court has publicly announced that it will not support the United States’ last remaining civil rights denial.

Same-sex couples flocked to the Polk County Recorders’ office to apply for marriage licenses, but for most of them, “happily ever after” didn’t yet come. Polk County Attorney John Sarcone immediately began the appeal process, encouraging Judge Robert Hanson put a stay on Iowans’ same-sex marriages. The case now heads to the Iowa Supreme Court for a final ruling, with no guarantee (but plenty of hope) for an optimistic outcome.

Still, every success begins with a single step. The Iowa court ruling is one of many small yet significant steps toward marriage equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation. I eagerly await the day when a loving lesbian couple such as the Varnums can actually take their rights for granted because they cannot remember a day when those rights didn’t exist. Idealistic? I don’t think so. That day may be a long way down the road, but the stepping stones are already being laid. Kudos to Polk County, Iowa for helping break down the barriers of discrimination.