DES MOINES, Iowa -- A Polk County judge has struck down Iowa's law preserving marriage for only a man and a woman. He ordered the county recorder's office to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

Six gay and lesbian couples went to court for the right to legally marry in Iowa.

Lamda Legal filed a lawsuit in 2005 on behalf of the couples in Iowa, saying they deserve equal protection under the law.

Des Moines laywer Dennis Johnson represented six gay couples who filed the lawsuit after they were denied marriage licenses, and he says Hanson's ruling is a moral victory for equal rights.

Judge Robert B. Hanson ruled that couples cannot be denied licenses to marry or marriage certificates or "in any other way be prevented from entering into civil marriage pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 595 by reason of the fact that both persons comprising such as couple are of the same sex."

The county is expected to appeal the ruling to the Iowa Supreme Court.

"Today's civil-rights ruling by Judge Robert Hanson is another step in what is expected to be a lengthy legal process. The prudent approach would be for the Legislature to await an expected appeal and subsequent ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court before taking any steps in reaction to this decision," said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal in a statement.