Artisan Gallery Event a Great Success!

Thank you so much to our hosts, sponsors, and guests who made last Friday's event at the Artisan Gallery a huge success! We raised money for a very important cause, the legal defense of domestic partnership protections, and enjoyed a beautiful evening along the Sugar River in Paoli.

You can check out the pictures here!

If you missed the event, its not too late to support the work of Fair Wisconsin in defending domestic partnerships - please click here.

Once again, thank you to all of the businesses and people that supported the event. See you next year!

See you TONIGHT at the Artisan Gallery!

Come one, come all ... TONIGHT! Enjoy delicious wine, extraordinary art and live music on the banks of the Sugar River while contributing to the cause of fairness. I hope you'll be able to join us at Paoli's famous Artisan Gallery for our last fundraiser of the summer!


Don't forget -

Friday, August 28th
6:00pm until...
The Artisan Gallery
6858 Paoli Rd
Paoli, WI (just 10 miles SW of Madison)

Questions? Call Fair Wisconsin at 608-441-0143 or the Artisan Gallery at 608-845-6600.

A note from Artisan Gallery owner Theresa Abel

We have hosted a number of events for Fair Wisconsin at the Artisan Gallery and each year seems to better than the last. This year is shaping up to be the best yet. I've been hearing great things about Queen Anne's catering and can't wait to try their food. Maggie and Sim's - the Heart of Harmonius Wail, are some of my favorite local musicians and what a treat to have them for this event.

We have some terrific art items for auction. Two fantastic paintings, one by Kelli Hoppmann
and the other by Deb Gottschalk. There are also pieces by Ed Wohl, Rachelle Miller, Laura Zindel and Paran Glass Studio. If you are a fan of any of these artists it would be an opportunity to get a piece for far less than they normally sell for.

While I work at this beautiful location along the Sugar River, I don't take enough time to just relax and enjoy the view. This event reminds me what a treasure this location is. A nice evening with good art, tasty food, terrific beer and wine , while relaxing on the riverside; All while supporting one of the most important causes I can think of. It is a great way to spend a late summer evening!

Friday, August 28th
6:00pm until...
The Artisan Gallery
6858 Paoli Rd
Paoli, WI (just 10 miles SW of Madison)

To RSVP, please click here: https://secure.ga4.org/01/artisan09

If you have any questions, you can contact Christopher at 608-441-0143 ext. 321 or at christopher.schmidt@fairwisconsin.com

Taking a moment to celebrate and reenergize

You've already heard from Christi and Mary about why they are excited about our event at the Artisan Gallery in Paoli this Friday. We're all taking turns around here this week and today, you get to hear about why I'm looking forward to see so many wonderful loved ones, friends and Fair Wisconsin supporters.

And its not because Jason bought me a beautiful vase last year. I swear...

No, its because during crazy and busy times like these, I look forward to opportunities to stop for a moment and celebrate how far we've come and reenergize for the work ahead.

I've said this to many people, but I can't say it enough. Joining Fair Wisconsin earlier this year to lobby for the passage of domestic partnerships, and now continuing to defend the legislation as the executive director of this wonderful, passionate group has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I can't wait to raise my glass to all of you who've spent your lives fighting for this moment and to all of you who are new to the fight and anxious to continue moving forward.

The legal challenge to domestic partnerships is just one more stop along the way to full equality. I am confident in our ability to defend the legislation, but we can't do it alone. We need each and every one of you to dig deep yet again, to find the energy, to find the time, to find the resources to make sure that we are able to tackle this next struggle and the struggle after that and the one after that. We at Fair Wisconsin are not done and I hope you're not done either.

So, I invite you to join us this Friday, August 28th as we celebrate this important step and prepare to defend the landmark legislation that has put Wisconsin back on the right track. I know times are tough for many of us, but the stakes could not be higher right now. Please consider supporting Fair Wisconsin at whatever level you can afford and click here to learn more about the event. I hope to see you in a couple of days!

A Note from Fair Wisconsin Office Manager Mary Sykes

The Artisan Gallery event is almost here and you don’t want to miss it – a fabulous way to cap off your summer socializing. I had such a great time at last year’s event, and am very much looking forward to the second annual evening on the Sugar River in Paoli. If you’ve never been, you’ve got to check it out, and if you’ve been there, you know what a special spot this is. The Artisan Gallery is the jewel of Paoli, and the Fair Wisconsin event makes it even more magical.

I’m especially looking forward to the evening’s music courtesy of Maggie and Sims Delaney of Harmonious Wail – both fantastic musicians. I’m particularly partial to Maggie because I study voice with her! She’s a wonderful, wonderful vocalist. Great music, plus chocolates and liquid libations and fantastic food, not to mention art – what’s not to like? I hope to see you there this Friday!


Friday, August 28th
6:00pm until...
The Artisan Gallery
6858 Paoli Rd
Paoli, WI (just 10 miles SW of Madison)

To RSVP, please click here: https://secure.ga4.org/01/artisan09

If you have any questions, you can contact Christopher at 608-441-0143 ext. 321 or at christopher.schmidt@fairwisconsin.com

Looking forward to Friday!

It's only Monday afternoon, but I'm already looking forward to Friday night and the Fair Wisconsin party at the Artisan Gallery! I can't wait for the chance to relax and have some fun at the beautiful Artisan Gallery along the Sugar River and enjoy some great food and drink, fabulous art, and live music.

Last year's event was a huge success, and this year promises to be even better. Returning from last year will be fine chocolates by Candinas Chocolatier and beer by The Great Dane Brewing Company. We are also thrilled to offer a cocktail buffet provided by Queen Anne's Catering and wine provided by L'eft Bank Wines and Steve's on University Ave.

I'm also really looking forward to live music from special musical guests Maggie and Sims, the Heart of the Harmonious Wail.

Can't wait to see you there Friday night!

Friday, August 28th
6:00pm until...
The Artisan Gallery
6858 Paoli Rd
Paoli, WI (just 10 miles SW of Madison)

To RSVP, please click here: https://secure.ga4.org/01/artisan09

If you have any questions, you can contact Christopher at 608-441-0143 ext. 321 or at christopher.schmidt@fairwisconsin.com

In the News: Week of Aug 17

Wis. AG Won't Defend Domestic Partnership Law
Associated Press
Wisconsin's attorney general said Friday he will not defend a new law that grants same-sex couples spousal benefits such as hospital visitation and inheritance, saying lawmakers went against voters' decision not to extend such privileges….


Wis. A.G. Refuses to Defend D.P. Law
Advocate
Wisconsin attorney general J.B. Van Hollen (pictured) said on Friday that he would not defend the state’s new domestic partnership law from a legal challenge brought by a conservative group….


Fair Wisconsin Stands Ready to Defend Domestic Partner Law That Attorney General Refuses to Defend
Racine News
“Fair Wisconsin is disappointed at the Attorney General’s decision,” says Katie Belanger, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin. “The Attorney General was elected to defend the State of Wisconsin from exactly this type of legal challenge, and we regret that he has chosen not to do so.”…

Doyle, Pocan Blast Van Hollen in Domestic Partner Lawsuit
Wisconsin State Journal
Pocan said Van Hollen was “shredding the Constitution for political purposes” and that the decision will “force the state taxpayers to fund outside attorneys to defend our Constitution and perform Van Hollen’s job.” …


Defending Domestic Partnerships
Wisconsin Radio Network
Supporters of Wisconsin’s Domestic Partnership Registry hope the Attorney General’s decision not to defend it could actually help their case….


Same-Sex Couples Still Feel Prejudice Despite State's New Registry
GazetteExtra
Fear and prejudice are among the reasons few same-sex couples have registered in Rock and Walworth counties since the Wisconsin domestic partnership registry started Aug. 3, two area women said….


Minnesota now lagging behind Wisconsin, Iowa neighbors in gay-friendly legal provisions
MinnPost
"This is nowhere near the rights married couple have, but it's a step," said Katie Belanger, executive director of Fair Wisconsin, the state's leading GLBT advocacy organization.

Fair Wisconsin Stands Ready to Defend Domestic Partnership Law that Attorney General Refuses to Defend

Today, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued a statement saying he will not represent the State of Wisconsin in defending domestic partnerships against a recent legal challenge filed with the State Supreme Court.


“Fair Wisconsin is disappointed at the Attorney General’s decision,” says Katie Belanger, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin. “The Attorney General was elected to defend the State of Wisconsin from exactly this type of legal challenge, and we regret that he has chosen not to do so.”


Domestic partnerships grant limited, but important legal protections to same-sex couples in caring, committed relationships, including hospital visitation and the ability to take Family Medical Leave to care for a sick or injured partner. Earlier this month, lawyers representing three board members of Wisconsin Family Action filed a lawsuit arguing that the domestic partnership registry violated a 2006 amendment to the Constitution that limits marriage in Wisconsin to one man and one woman.


“Fair Wisconsin is prepared to defend domestic partnerships because same-sex couples need the basic protections they provide,” continues Belanger. “Because of the importance of this legislation, Fair Wisconsin will seek to take an active role in this case and has retained Lambda Legal as counsel. We are confident that the State Supreme Court will arrive at a fair and just decision that upholds these basic protections for same-sex couples.”


”The domestic partnership registry and the constitutional amendment barring same-sex couples from marriage are not in conflict with each other,” stated Christopher Clark, senior staff attorney with Lambda Legal. “In the absence of such a conflict, we are perplexed and disappointed by the Attorney General’s decision and we encourage the Governor to vigorously defend the important legal protections that the legislature validly enacted to protect Wisconsin citizens.”


The nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Council issued an opinion on May 6th, 2009, supporting the legality of domestic partnerships under the constitutional amendment, stating “it is reasonable to conclude that the domestic partnerships proposed…do not confer a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals in violation of art. XIII, s.13.”

Join us to Defend Domestic Partnerships Friday, August 28th!

Now is the time to celebrate the tremendous victory the LGBT community experienced this month - the enactment of domestic partnerships, the first pro-fairness legislation in 27 years!

But it is also the time to stand up and defend these crucial protections for same-sex couples. Julaine Appling from Wisconsin Family Action (the group that helped write discrimination into our state's constitution) and her friends at the Alliance Defense Fund have filed a lawsuit with our State Supreme Court to snatch this victory from our hands. Their goal is to invalidate domestic partnerships, like they have been trying to do in states all around the country.
And we must not let them succeed. We need your support today to help us defend domestic partnerships in court.

But fortunately, at Fair Wisconsin we have found a way to make standing up for fairness a great time! Join us at the Artisan Gallery in Paoli on Friday, August 28th, for an evening of live music, great food and drink, fantastic art, and a chance to support this crucial cause.

Friday, August 28th
6:00pm until...
The Artisan Gallery
6858 Paoli Rd
Paoli, WI (just 10 miles SW of Madison)
Suggested Contribution: $50 per person
Sponsorships available: $100, $250, and $500

To RSVP, please click here: https://secure.ga4.org/01/artisan09

With special musical guests Maggie and Sims, the Heart of the Harmonious Wail.

Cocktail buffet provided by Queen Anne's Catering, Beer by the Great Dane Brewing Company, and Wine provided by L'eft Bank Wines and Steve's on University Ave. Live auction coordinated by the Artisan Gallery with additional products donated by local businesses from central Wisconsin.

Check back next week for more updates and information about this exciting event! Don't miss it!

If you have any questions, you can contact Christopher at 608-441-0143 ext. 321 or at christopher.schmidt@fairwisconsin.com

Happy Pride!

In spite of the unpredictable weather and clouds of bubbles from a foam machine two floats ahead of us, Fair Wisconsin was thrilled to take part in the annual Wisconsin Capitol Pride Parade last Sunday in Madison. (Actually, to be fair, the bubbles probably added to our enthusiasm ...)

Approximately 40 people marched behind the Fair Wisconsin banner through the streets of Madison - staff, interns, volunteers and even spectators joining us from the sidewalks! If you have a moment, please take a look at some of the pictures from the day!

The parade was just one event of Wisconsin Capitol Pride last weekend. Fair Wisconsin also staffed an information booth at the Pride grounds on Willow Island, where we had lots of positive feedback from supporters of fairness and a chance to congratulate the couples who have just registered as domestic partners.

Thanks to all the people who were able to join us for the festivities! John and I will be tabling at La Crosse Pride on Saturday, August 23rd. Stop by and say hello!

Party at the Executive Residence

Monday night, we had the opportunity to celebrate a landmark victory for fairness with the person who took the lead on this legislation by including it in his biennial budget: Governor Jim Doyle.


From LGBT groups around the state, to allied organizations and labor unions to the fabulous leaders we have at all levels of government, the first piece of pro-fairness legislation in Wisconsin happened because we at Fair Wisconsin believe in the power of building broad coalitions.

Governor Doyle and the First Lady welcomed members of leaders in the LGBT community and allied organizations to the Executive Residence to celebrate all of our efforts to take this important step forward. I wanted to take this quick opportunity to share with you some of the pictures from our wonderful celebration.

Your Story: Tom and Dan

The power of personal stories in helping to advance equality is unquestionable. Therefore, Fair Wisconsin is highlighting individual stories of how the domestic partnership protections in the biennial state budget will help real couples in Wisconsin.



Congratulations to Tom and Dan, the first couple to register as domestic partners in Walworth County! They have been together for three and a half years and reside in East Troy.

Tom describes their registration process as "quick, smooth and uneventful," with the clerk's staff eager to see how the domestic partner registration worked in practice. "The clerk ended up filling out about a third of the form on the computer and gave up, printed it and finished filling it out by hand. We raised our right hands, swore to the veracity of our answers and poof! Our lives changed for the better with the stroke of a pen."

Want to share your story about how these protections will make a difference in your life? Email us at yourstory@fairwisconsin.com today!

Your Story: Ken Seguine and Jay Gilbertson

The power of personal stories in helping to advance equality is unquestionable. Therefore, Fair Wisconsin is highlighting individual stories of how the domestic partnership protections in the biennial state budget will help real couples in Wisconsin.


Meet Ken Seguine and Jay Gilbertson, the first couple in Dunn County to officially file their declaration of domestic partnership! Ken, owner of Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil, and Jay, a hairstylist and popular author, met 14 years ago in Minnesota and later moved to Prairie Farm, Wisconsin.

"It's really been a fantastic week for us!" Ken told me, describing the days leading up to August 3rd as fraught with excitement and even nervousness. Ken and Jay had arranged a 10 A.M. appointment to be the first same-sex couple in Dunn County to register, but another couple beat them to the clerk's office that day. However, Ken and Jay opted to pay the $10 fee to waive the five-day waiting period, received the official declaration of their domestic partnership and filed it with the Register of Deeds office at once.

In an interview with the Dunn County News, Ken shared a past experience highlighting the critical importance of these basic legal protections: "I had a previous partner in California--long before I met Jay--where he passed away. We shared stuff, but everything went to his mother. We were about to do wills and stuff--and did not. He died ... and had massive medical bills that were on our mutual credit cards, but yet she got the life insurance and everything, so it was very unfair. It was a very difficult situation."

Ken and Jay also urge other committed couples throughout Wisconsin to take advantage of the legal protections now available by registering as domestic partners.

Want to share your story about how these protections will make a difference in your life? Email us at yourstory@fairwisconsin.com today!

Happy DP Day!

Wisconsin's domestic partner registry is officially up and running! Yesterday, Fair Wisconsin staff and volunteers were on hand in Madison and Milwaukee to greet the same-sex couples whose relationships will finally be legally recognized.

I arrived at the Dane County Building at 5:00 A.M., less than fifteen minutes ahead of the first couple! Congratulations to Janice and Crystal, first to register in Dane County--a committed couple for 29 years!


Our Executive Director, Katie Belanger, and I arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse just before the county clerk's office opened. We had the opportunity to talk to a variety of couples--including Cylest and Katie, the first couple in Milwaukee County to register and Fair Wisconsin volunteers in the afternoon!

It was a moving day for several couples. I witnessed (and distributed!) lots of hugs, even a few tears of joy and heard more than once, "We never thought we'd see anything like this in our lifetimes." Some brought friends while others included family, such as Anne and Denise, pictured below with their son.

Congratulations to all the same-sex couples who registered! If you're planning to register, please refer to www.fairwisconsin.com for information on domestic partnerships in Wisconsin, the registration process and county clerk information.

August 3rd, 2009: A Historic Day for Fairness in Wisconsin

Caring, committed couples throughout the state of Wisconsin will have access to some basic legal protections today as the state’s new domestic partnership law takes effect. Today Wisconsin becomes the first state in nation with an existing ban on both marriage equality and civil unions to enact domestic partnerships, and first state in Midwest to legislatively enact protections for same-sex couples

“Today is a historic day for fairness in Wisconsin,” says Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger. “We are very grateful for the exceptional leadership of Governor Doyle, the Co-Chairs of the Joint Finance Committee Rep. Mark Pocan and Sen. Mark Miller, and the many state legislators who voted to enact this legislation that recognizes and values our state’s same-sex couples. They know that the government shouldn’t stand in the way of someone being able to care for their long-term partner.”

“This is an important step toward ensuring that someone in a caring, committed relationship is able to care for his or her partner,” says Belanger. “No one should ever have to worry about being blocked at their partner’s hospital room door, or have to make the heartbreaking decision to quit their job in order to care for a seriously ill partner. This isn’t about being gay or straight—it’s about being decent.”

The Ten Things You Should Know Before You Register: Number 1

In an effort to make sure couples are ready to begin registering as domestic partners beginning on August 3rd, Fair Wisconsin has put together a "Top Ten" list of all the things you should know! Check back daily as we count down the days left until August 3rd to learn something new about domestic partnerships every day.

As always, if you have questions please call us at 608-441-0143. And you can download our reference guide to domestic partnerships by clicking here.


Day 1: Share Your Story with Fair Wisconsin!

The day you choose to register, whether it's the first registration day, the first week, or months from now, is such an important day for both you and our state, so Fair Wisconsin would like to join you in celebration. Please send us your pictures, your stories, your happy memories and how your domestic partnership will help you and your partner take care of each other. We'll highlight couples from around the state right here on our blog and website.

Here's how you can share your story with Fair Wisconsin:

• Email pictures and/or video and a brief synopsis of your story as a couple, including the day you registered for a domestic partnership, to yourstory@fairwisconsin.com.

• We will only share the first names and cities of couples who email us. Your privacy is important to us!
• Check out www.fairwisconsin.com for stories of couples throughout the state!

The Ten Things You Should Know Before You Register: Number 2

In an effort to make sure couples are ready to begin registering as domestic partners beginning on August 3rd, Fair Wisconsin has put together a "Top Ten" list of all the things you should know! Check back daily as we count down the days left until August 3rd to learn something new about domestic partnerships every day.

As always, if you have questions please call us at 608-441-0143. And you can download our reference guide to domestic partnerships by clicking here.


Day 2: Who Can I Call if I Have Problems Registering?

If you have questions about the registration process, need to find your count clerk's office, run into problems registering or have any other questions about domestic partnerships, Fair Wisconsin can help.

You can contact Fair Wisconsin during normal business hours at 608-441-0143. On Monday, August 3, our help desk will begin at 8:00 am. Staff, interns and volunteers will be waiting to answer your questions. If you prefer email, you can send your question to info@fairwisconsin.com.

Staff members can also provide you with additional resources and they can engage you in the ongoing work to advance the cause of fairness. Fair Wisconsin does not give legal advice, so for a specific legal inquiry, please contact your attorney.