Fair Wisconsin

Green Bay City Council Postpones Anti-Gay Measure Indefinitely

2010-11-04T12:30:00.000-05:00

Last night the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community witnessed a victory in Green Bay. The Green Bay City Council voted 9-2 to postpone indefinitely a resolution brought by Alderman Shae Sortwell to join Wisconsin Family Action's lawsuit challenging the statewide domestic partnership registry.

In an act of bullying and retribution, Sortwell's resolution emerged following a request made for domestic partner health care coverage by David Fowles, a City of Green Bay Department of Public Works employee.

Fair Wisconsin refuses to allow Sortwell to bully brave LGBT people who dare to stand up for basic protections. The work we did to inform and rally our Green Bay supporters resulted in approximately 100 people attending to register their opposition and speak out against Sortwell’s discriminatory measure.

"We are pleased that the City Council saw fit to postpone this unfortunate and ill-advised resolution," commented Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger. “The outpouring of opposition to this measure was overwhelming and we were proud to stand with so many LGBT and allied residents of Green Bay to stop this attempt to strip basic protections from caring and committed same-sex couples.”

By postponing the resolution indefinitely, the City Council took no formal action on the measure and it can be brought forward again. Fair Wisconsin will continue to monitor the situation in Green Bay and is prepared to continue opposing further measures by Sortwell and others like him that bully and discriminate against LGBT people.

Our very own Sarah Palin

2010-10-05T12:54:00.000-05:00

Here is an excerpt from an email that Katie Belanger, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin, sent to our membership this morning:

"Less than one month ago, anti-fairness gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker got an ultra-conservative shot in the arm when Rebecca Kleefisch was nominated as his running mate.
We know Walker has already pledged to repeal the landmark domestic partnership protections enacted just over a year ago, and we know Kleefisch agrees. But the ultra-conservative anti-fairness former TV news anchor didn't stop there. Here is Rebecca Kleefisch in her own words:

"At what point are we going to ok marrying inanimate objects? Can I marry [a] table or [a] clock? Can we marry dogs? This is ridiculous!"

That's the kind of statement I expect from national ultra-conservative leaders like Sarah Palin. Not sensible and decent Wisconsinites. We simply cannot allow our next Lieutenant Governor to be someone who likens the value of relationships between caring and committed same-sex couples to tables and clocks. One thing is for sure, the last thing we need is our very own Sarah Palin in Madison.

There is a lot at stake this year. The talking heads are all saying that the progressive base isn't energized and progressive candidates are in trouble. Let's prove them wrong. Let's show them that if supporters of equality will not back down in our quest for fairness.
We know that the passage of domestic partner protections means Wisconsin is back on the right track. It seems like every day we hear news of more and more people supporting equality (Welcome, Governor Crist!). Still, anti-fairness candidates around the state think they can get ahead by demonizing the LGBT community. Let's show them that we will not allow their distortions and discrimination to prevail."

There's only four weeks left before the November elections. Help us show that Wisconsinites don't support extreme views like Rebecca Kleefisch's by making a special contribution to Fair Wisconsin today.

Fair Wisconsin PAC Endorses Jon Richards

2010-10-04T16:48:00.001-05:00

Incumbent for the 19th Assembly District is a champion for equality.

“Representative Jon Richards has been a leader in the quest for equality," stated Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger. "His unwavering commitment and vocal representation of the Milwaukee LGBT community has been commendable and we are proud to stand with him in his re-election this fall."

Increasing Fair Wisconsin's voice in Milwaukee, the Fair Wisconsin PAC recently joined forces with the Human Rights League PAC. Together they work to elect pro-fairness individuals in local, state legislative and gubernatorial races to advance, achieve and protect the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Wisconsinites.

Lambda Legal Seeks to Intervene on Behalf of Fair Wisconsin to Save Legal Protections for Same-Sex Couples and Their Families

2010-10-01T12:36:00.000-05:00

15,000 Wisconsin Same-Sex Couples Need Domestic Partnership Law for Times of Illness and Crisis

(Madison, Wisconsin October 1, 2010) - In court papers filed today, Lambda Legal is seeking to intervene on behalf of Fair Wisconsin and five same-sex couples in a lawsuit brought by an antigay group attempting to strip away critical domestic partnership protections for same-sex couples and their families.

"This is the second time that Wisconsin Family Action has asked a court to deny the basic protections of domestic partnerships to nearly 15,000 same-sex Wisconsin couples and their families," said Christopher Clark, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago. "It is absurd to suggest that the limited protections provided to domestic partners are equivalent to the multitude of legal protections enjoyed by married couples. Wisconsin Family Action should stop wasting the taxpayers' money on frivolous lawsuits. The domestic partnership law and the constitutional amendment barring same-sex couples from marriage are not in conflict with each other."
"We look forward to our day in court so that Fair Wisconsin, its members and our defendant couples can describe how important the legal protections provided by domestic partnerships are for protecting their families in times of illness and crisis," added Clark.

"More than 1500 same-sex couples across the state of Wisconsin are now enjoying some of the most critical protections all couples need to care for each other," said Katie Belanger, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin. "With the passage of domestic partnerships, Wisconsin has taken an important step in advancing equality for gays and lesbians and we are proud to stand with Lambda Legal in defending these critical protections. This isn't about being gay or straight - it's about being decent."

Last year, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed domestic partnerships into law. Domestic partnerships grant limited, but important legal protections to same-sex couples, including hospital visitation and the ability to take a family medical leave to care for a sick or injured partner.

Wisconsin Family Action, an antigay group, filed a lawsuit against the state in 2009 arguing that the domestic partnership law is a violation of the antigay constitutional amendment barring marriage equality and recognition of any legal status that is "substantially similar" to marriage that was passed in 2006. After the State Attorney General announced that his office would not defend the state against the claim, Governor Doyle appointed special counsel to represent the state. Lambda Legal intervened in that matter, but the Wisconsin Supreme Court ultimately rejected the case. On August 18, 2010, Wisconsin Family Action and the Alliance Defense Fund filed a new challenge to Wisconsin's domestic partnership registry in the Dane County Circuit Court.

David Kopitze and Paul Klawiter, who have been together for nearly 40 years, are worried about what losing these basic protections might mean for their family. Said Kopitze, "The domestic partnership registry is the only way we can secure some fundamental legal protections. Paul and I just want to make sure that we can visit each other in the hospital and take care of each other as we grow older."

ACLU also filed court papers today to intervene in the Appling v. Doyle case on behalf of five same-sex couples. Like Lambda Legal, ACLU says domestic partnerships and marriages are not "substantially similar."

John and Michael celebrate first anniversary as domestic partners

2010-08-03T10:00:00.005-05:00

It is difficult to believe that a year ago today, my husband John and I were hurrying across town to the Brown County Courthouse. Our excitement was palpable: we were going to become the first same-sex couple to register as domestic partners in the history of Brown County. With the other couples who were waiting expectantly outside county clerk offices that day, we were taking a small (when measured by number of legal protections) but important step forward.

This wasn't the first time we had declared our commitment to each other. Three years earlier, in March 2006, we had been married in Toronto, surrounded by our closest family and friends. Returning to Wisconsin that spring, we found ourselves face-to-face with an anti-marriage equality campaign that threatened to prevent us achieving full equality in this state. Hardly the welcome home we had anticipated.

Under the direction of Fair Wisconsin, side-by-side with thousands of LGBT and allied Wisconsinites, John and I canvassed door-to-door, made endless phone calls to voters, persuaded everyone we could. Ultimately, we failed to prevent the discriminatory marriage ban, a devastating defeat to us and to all the people who had worked so hard to preserve fairness in Wisconsin. A terrible conclusion to a year which had dawned so brightly, as we began our lives together.

When, less than three years after the marriage ban, Governor Doyle announced domestic partnership protections as part of the state budget, John and I found a reason to hope that our hard work in 2006 had not been in vain. We rallied to Fair Wisconsin's call to share our story, and a month later, John was addressing the Joint Finance Committee at the budget hearing in West Allis. He spoke about the fear we face each day, the devastating possibilities of one of us being incapacitated and the other legally unable to make critical decisions. Three months later, our pro-fairness Governor signed domestic partnerships into law.

As we waited at the Brown County Courthouse last August 3rd, impatient to declare our commitment to each other here in the State of Wisconsin, we certainly took a moment to reflect how far we've come, how far we have to go. Domestic partnerships are not full equality. But John and I have some measure of security. The comfort of knowing one of us will not be turned away from the other's hospital bedside, that if something should happen to one of us, the other has survivor protections under the law. We are better able to care for each other than we were previously. And that is certainly something to celebrate.

- Michael Knaapen (Milwaukee)

Fair Wisconsin celebrates the one year anniversary of domestic partnership protections

2010-08-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

One year ago today, Wisconsin took an important step toward equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as couples across the state began registering as domestic partners.

“Today we celebrate the anniversary of a historic achievement for Wisconsin’s 15,000 same-sex couples,” stated 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 worked tirelessly to achieve this landmark victory. They know that the government shouldn’t stand in the way of someone being able to care for their long-term partner.”

Over 1,500 same-sex couples across the state have registered as domestic partners and are enjoying the limited legal protections that domestic partnerships provide, such as hospital visitation and family medical leave to care for a sick or injured partner.

“Although domestic partnerships fall short of full equality, they mark an important shift in the direction of our state,” Belanger continued. “Wisconsin has resumed its rightful place at the forefront of the quest for fairness.”

Domestic partnerships mark the first pro-fairness advance for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community since Wisconsin became the first state in the country in 1982 to include sexual orientation in our nondiscrimination laws. The passage of domestic partnerships also makes Wisconsin the first state in the Midwest to protect same-sex couples via legislation and the first state in the country with a broad constitutional amendment banning marriage equality and civil unions to enact domestic partnerships.

Wisconsin Stands up for Marriage Equality

2010-07-28T16:57:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, nearly 500 people joined Fair Wisconsin in Madison to stand up to the National Organization for marriage and share one important message--- all committed, loving couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be allowed to marry.

While yesterday fair minded Wisconsinites were able to to show NOM that their hateful and discriminatory messages are not welcome in our state, there is still important work to be done. NOM's actions are becoming increasingly hateful. On Monday, a NOM supporter in Indianapolis event said that gay people should "be put to death" as described in Leviticus 20:13. Join Fair Wisconsin, and the national organization Freedom to Marry, to call on NOM to end these attacks on LGBT individuals and their families for good.

Click here to sign the petition to tell NOM to stop these attacks on LGBT individuals and families.

To see pictures of the March for Marriage Equality, click here.

What equality means to us

2010-07-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

This is a guest blog post from Fox Valley Fair Wisconsin advocate Kathy Flores.

I am appalled that the National Organization for Marriage is coming to Madison on their "Summer for Marriage" tour. It is an irrational fear for them to believe that my partner Ann and I are a threat to any heterosexual marriage as we live our lives peacefully and lovingly care for each other. We want no "special treatment," only the legal protections that should be available to all committed couples.

Ann and I have had our fair share of medical worries in our years together, but nothing could have prepared us for the last year and a half. In this time, I experienced a pulmonary embolism that would have killed me if not detected, followed by thyroid cancer just months later. On July 6th of this year, I underwent surgery at UW Hospital in Madison to repair a cerebral aneurysm. Ann was in the company of other partners as they all waited for word on the condition of their loved ones. She was told that my surgery would be three or four hours, but instead found herself waiting eight hours to find out that I had come through this well and was in recovery.

I challenge anyone to tell me or Ann that the love and concern she sat with for eight hours is not equal to the love of any heterosexual couple in the same situation. And Ann's work was not done yet. She spent nights with me in the hospital while I was sick and weak from blood thinners. She continued to care for me at home, cooking my meals, cleaning our house and providing support and encouragement as I recovered. In the days since the surgery, my Multiple Sclerosis kicked into overdrive, and I suffered severe vision loss in one of my eyes. Again, my loving partner Ann was there to hold my hand through this.

This is just one small snapshot of our life together. Ann works for a large nonprofit organization, and I work for city government. We contribute to our community in meaningful ways. We pay taxes, attend church, are good neighbors and hard-working citizens being treated unfairly, without equal protections under the law.

I believe Fair Wisconsin is responding as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did when he peacefully spoke against injustice. He reminded us then (and it rings true today): "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He wrote this from Birmingham Jail at a time when people believed African Americans did not deserve the same legal protections as white people. We face a similar struggle today. There are those within the National Organization for Marriage who would emulate those who opposed Dr. Martin Luther King by denying the most basic protections to their fellow Americans.

The tide is turning. Ultimately, I am confident love will prevail.

- Kathy Flores, Appleton

Thanks, Kathy, for taking the time to share this powerful story with us. We encourage all of our friends and advocates throughout the Badger State to tell us what equality means to you!

Anti-gay group to rally in Madison

2010-07-21T17:51:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, July 27, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) will descend upon Madison as part of their nationwide "Summer for Marriage" tour. NOM is the extremist, anti-gay group behind the Prop 8 campaign in California.

We cannot allow the distractions, distortions, and discriminatory agenda of groups like NOM to go unanswered. Fair Wisconsin, along with many other fair-minded organizations from around the state, is organizing a march that will begin in Library Mall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus at 11:00am before heading up Street Street and finally ending in front of the State Capitol building.

The event will show NOM, and other organizations like it, that we stand united for equality. From the passage of domestic partnerships to the growing support for repealing our discriminatory constitutional amendment, Wisconsin is moving in the right direction and we won't take another step back.

We need you, and other fair-minded Wisconsinites to join us on July 27 as we stand together for marriage equality. For more information about the event, click here.

Fair Wisconsin PAC & Human Rights League PAC Announce Endorsements!

2010-07-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

Fair Wisconsin PAC and Human Rights League PAC are excited to announce our joint 2010 fall election endorsements. Fair Wisconsin PAC and Human Rights League PAC (HRL-PAC) are committed to advancing and achieving equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Wisconsinites through strategic electoral activity.

Both Fair Wisconsin PAC and Human Rights League PAC believe that by maintaining and expanding pro-fairness majorities in the state legislature, Wisconsin can continue taking important strides towards equality.

Click here for a complete list of candidate endorsements!

State Supreme Court Upholds Anti-Equality 2006 Amendment

2010-06-30T08:41:00.000-05:00

Today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its ruling in McConkey v. J.B. Van Hollen, et.al, the case that William McConkey brought against the state challenging the legality of the 2006 referendum amendment to the state's constitution banning marriage equality and civil unions. The Court found against McConkey’s argument that the amendment should be nullified because the two questions in the referendum should have been voted on separately.

“Fair Wisconsin is disappointed in but respects the Court’s decision. We will continue working to protect Wisconsin’s 15,000 same-sex couples and build towards a legislative repeal of this discriminatory amendment to our state’s constitution,” says Fair Wisconsin Executive Director, Katie Belanger. “This decision highlights the importance of the domestic partnership protections that Fair Wisconsin helped to enact one year ago. Same-sex couples across our state have been availing themselves of the basic protections that domestic partnerships provide, such as hospital visitation, inheritance, and the ability to take leave from work to care for a sick or injured partner.”

“Domestic partnerships are just one step on the long road to equality,” continued Belanger. “Fair Wisconsin will continue working toward the day when all Wisconsin’s citizens will know true equality.”

Prop 8 Update

2010-06-18T17:28:00.000-05:00

Following nearly six months of legal proceedings regarding California's "Prop8" law, United States District Judge Vaughn R. Walker heard the case's closing arguments on Wednesday, June 16. As both sides made their final arguments, Judge Walker questioned the position of both supporters and proponents of the measure regarding their positions, witnesses, and what they each believe he should base his final ruling on it.

California's ban on marriage equality has been especially controversial, attracting attention, donations and support (both for and against the measure) from individuals and groups around the country while making several trips through the state's court system.

If Judge Walker overturns the ban, marriage licenses for same-sex couples could begin being issued right away, although it is likely the case will still continue on in the legal system-- possibly traveling all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court-- before a final decision on the measure is made. Judge Walker is expected to make his ruling sometime this summer.

Click here to read a full transcript of the case's closing arguments.

Surgery no longer required to change gender on U.S. passports

2010-06-15T15:35:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, June 10, the United States State Department announced new policy guidelines relating to the sex marker on American passports. Effective immediately, individuals will no longer need to undergo gender reassignment surgery to change the gender on an American passport. Instead, when a passport applicant presents a doctor's certification that he or she has undergone treatment for gender transition, the passport will be updated to accurately reflect the correct gender.

The new policy also allows individuals to obtain a temporary passport in the appropriate gender if a doctor's statement demonstrates that an applicant is in the process of a gender transition. These new policies and procedures are based on the standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

These changes will help to reduce the extreme danger many transgender Americans face while traveling abroad in countries hostile towards them as well as harassment they may face upon leaving or returning to the U.S. These policies are a major step forward towards the State Department's mission to protect all Americans while traveling, working or living overseas.

President Obama Commemorates Pride Month

2010-06-07T15:29:00.000-05:00

Last week, President Barack Obama celebrated Pride Month by issuing a presidential proclamation. "As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our nation," he says, "let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles."

In the proclamation, President Obama also discussed the importance of recognizing the openly LGBT employees throughout his administration and expressed his support of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

To read the full text of the proclamation, click here.

Obama Signs Same-Sex Memorandum

2010-06-04T15:21:00.003-05:00

In a major step forward for employees of the Federal government, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum on June 2 requiring the Executive agencies of the Federal government to extend various benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees. According to a press release by President Obama, benefits will range from "family assistance services to hardship transfers to relocation expenses." Additionally, the memorandum requires that federal agencies that extend any new benefits to employees' opposite-sex spouses must also make those same benefits available, on equal terms, to employees' same-sex domestic partners.

While President Obama acknowledged that the memorandum was an important step towards equality, he also renewed his call for the passage of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, championed by Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. The legislation, currently pending in both Houses of Congress, would extend the full range of benefits currently enjoyed by hetrosexual, married Federal employees to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees as well.

Honoring those who are fighting for us: OPEN the Out Professional and Executive Network

2010-06-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

Founded in 2008, OPEN is a diverse, strong and vibrant community of out and allied professionals in the Capitol Region. This community works to connect and create professional leaders by actively engaging in professional development, education, public service, networking and by presenting extraordinary social events.

Since their inception, OPEN has worked to provide education and information for businesses and individuals in the professional sector, and also to provide acceptance and support for LGBT professionals. In two years, OPEN has gathered a team of about 70 professionals from the Madison area, ranging from students to long-time professionals such as UW-Madison Chancellor Carolyn "Biddy" Martin.

OPEN and the Fair Wisconsin Education Fund share the goal of creating more inclusive workplaces and communities. To work toward this goal, OPEN produced their first Corporate Diversity Initiative Report in 2010 to makes recommendations for creating better working conditions for LGBT professionals, both in and out of the office.

Join us as we honor OPEN at the Fair Wisconsin Leadership Awards. Click here to learn more.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin: Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

2010-05-27T15:43:00.000-05:00

As the House of Representatives debates repealing the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning openly gay and lesbian citizens from serving in our military, our own Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin took to the floor of the House to urge her colleagues to support fairness and oppose discrimination. Watch the video of her remarks here:

Marriage Equality in Portugal

2010-05-26T11:20:00.000-05:00

Portugal’s conservative president Anibal Cavaco Silva announced last week that he is ratifying a law that will give Portugal marriage equality. The previous law, similar to the 2006 amendment to the Wisconsin State Constitution, stated that marriage is between two people of different sexes.

Marriage equality has been a controversial issue in Catholic Portugal, with right-leaning religious groups and left-leaning government groups disagreeing. Cacavo Silva ratified the law to prevent further attention devoted to the issue so that Portugal can focus on their current economic crisis.

"I feel I should not contribute to a pointless extension of this debate, which would only serve to deepen the divisions between the Portuguese and divert the attention of politicians away from the grave problems affecting us," Cavaco Silva said.

Portugal is the sixth European nation to adopt marriage equality, behind Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway.

Click here to read more.

Statement of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin on the Anticipated Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

2010-05-26T10:30:00.004-05:00

“When the House votes to repeal DADT, as I expect it will this week, we will have taken one more step on the path to full civil rights for all LGBT Americans, but we have much further to go,” said Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. “I look forward to the expeditious implementation of all policies necessary to end discrimination against gays and lesbians who currently serve or wish to serve in the military. I also look forward to passage of a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the coming weeks. There is no place for irrational and insidious discrimination in either the military or the private sector.” Baldwin said.

Episcopalian church ordains first lesbian bishop

2010-05-24T15:05:00.000-05:00

The Episcopalian Church ordained its first lesbian bishop, Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool of Baltimore, on Saturday, May 15th. Glasspool is the second openly gay bishop in church history, and is also only the second woman to be ordained in the Los Angeles Diocese.

Despite concerns from conservative Episcopalians, the Episcopalian General Convention decided in July of 2009 that gays and lesbians may serve as priests. Bishop Jon Bruno, who spoke at the ceremony, told the audience, “The world's transformed only if we turn to each and every one of our brothers and sisters and see the face of Christ superimposed on them."

Glasspool said in a press conference that her ordainment shows the commitment of the Episcopal Church to inclusivity. “We are being the church we say we are. We're not just saying it, we're doing it and there's something very powerful about that."

Fair Wisconsin congratulates Bishop Glasspool on her ordainment. The commitment to equality shown by the Espiscopal church illustrates that religion and sexuality do not have to be opposing concepts.
For more information on Bishop Glasspool and the ceremony, click here.

Honoring those who are fighting for us: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin

2010-05-21T14:20:00.007-05:00

We are very excited to announce that this year we will be dedicating our annual Fair Wisconsin Statewide Leadership Award to Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. Congresswoman Baldwin’s leadership deserves to be recognized as the standard of excellence in the fight for equality.

When she won her first Congressional election in 1998 she broke barriers by becoming the first out lesbian, the first woman from Wisconsin, and the first openly gay non-incumbent elected to Congress.

Congresswoman Baldwin’s leadership did not just begin when she was elected to Congress. She has been an active advocate for the LGBT community since her years on the Dane County Board of Supervisors and in the Wisconsin State Assembly. In 1994, she founded Action Wisconsin: A Congress for Human Rights which would later become Fair Wisconsin as we know it today.

Since her election to the House of Representatives in 1998, Tammy has continued her tireless work for fairness for LGBT citizens. She is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, a bi-partisan group advocating for equality for LGBT people at home and abroad.

Congresswoman Baldwin has been on the forefront in Congress in the fight for equality. Her leadership was instrumental in the enactment of hate crimes legislation that includes protections based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. She is also leading the fight for LGBT equality in the workplace through her efforts to pass the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

She is the author of the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act that would grant the domestic partners of federal employees, the same benefits – and require of them the same obligations – as the spouses of federal employees. On more than one occasion, President Obama has said he wants to sign this bill into law. She is also a firm opponent of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and an original cosponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal it.

In addition to LGBT equality, Congresswoman Baldwin is passionate about ensuring access to comprehensive health care for all Americans. She played a key role in crafting the new health care reform law and was able to include in the House version of that bill provisions to identify and eliminate LGBT health disparities. While those provisions were not included in the final bill, she is continuing to push those measures through stand-alone legislation, the Ending LGBT Health Disparities Act. There is no question that Wisconsin is truly fortunate to have such a passionate advocate and respected leader in Congress.

Please join us in thanking Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for her work to achieve fairness and equality for LGBT citizens, not just in Wisconsin, but across the nation.

Click here to sponsor or RSVP to the Fair Wisconsin Leadership Awards and thank Congresswoman Baldwin for her leadership.

Take Action: Help us pass ENDA

2010-05-19T11:03:00.001-05:00

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced in 1994 with the goal of protecting workers from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Now, 16 years later, we are closer than ever to passing this historic legislation, but we need your help to get it done.

This week, May 17-21, is the EMERGENCY ENDA National Week of Action. Fair Wisconsin and other pro-fairness groups from across the country are taking action and urging supporters to contact their members of Congress to ask them to support an inclusive ENDA.

To contact your representative, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121, give the operator your zip code and asked to be connected to your Representative. When you are connected, give your name and address so they know you are a constituent. Then, express your support for ENDA, like in this statement:

"Discrimination is a real problem that affects real people and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people need basic job discrimination protections. I support the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and urge you to support fairness and the protection of all American citizens, despite sexual orientation or gender identity. Please vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act"

For more information, check out endanow.com

Marquette Alum and Bush Administration Official Joins Fair Wisconsin in Speaking Out Against Discrimination

2010-05-15T10:36:00.000-05:00

Today former Bush Administration Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and Marquette Alum, Scott Evertz, joined Fair Wisconsin in calling for Marquette University to reinstate their offer to Dr. Jodi O’Brien to serve as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean. Last week, Marquette University announced their decision to rescind the official offer to Dr. Jodi O’Brien. An out lesbian, Dr. O’Brien has spent a significant portion of her career publishing works that delve into the sociological aspects of being a lesbian, which has led Marquette University to their unfortunate decision.

“This is a fundamental issue of fairness,” noted Executive Director Katie Belanger, “and when Scott reached out to us, we were thrilled that a former Bush appointee is joining us in expressing disappointment and frustration with the recent turn of events.”

In April 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Evertz, an out gay man, to serve in his administration with full knowledge of his sexual orientation, his writings and statements of support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. “I went to Washington a proud Marquette alum who would tell anyone who would listen that it was, in large part, my Jesuit education that had me attending weekly meetings of the President’s Domestic Policy Council in the West Wing and convening meetings of the President’s Task Force on HIV/AIDS, chaired by Secretary Colin Powell and my friend Secretary Tommy Thompson,” Evertz said.

“By the time I arrived in the White House, I had already received a gracious and kind congratulatory note from Father Wild, President of Marquette University. It filled me with pride that the man who was running my beloved alma mater had taken notice of my appointment and had sent me a personal note.

“Though still proud of my Marquette education and the institution, I find myself embarrassed at the recent events surrounding the offer to Dr. Jodi O’Brien to serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, my college, and the subsequent withdrawal of that offer,” Evertz continued. “I also feel a certain sense of irony and have found myself thinking in the past several days that if I were academically qualified, as Dr. O’Brien is, to serve as Dean of the College at Marquette, I too would likely be deemed unfit to do so by Father Wild.”

Evertz’s statement comes just days after Fair Wisconsin Education Fund Board President and Marquette Alum, Robert J. Starshak, M.D., sent a letter asking Father Wild to reconsider his decision to rescind Marquette University’s offer to Dr. O’Brien and offering to assist the administration in addressing concerns about their diversity and inclusive hiring practices. Read Robert's letter here.

Honoring those who are fighting for us: Lester Pines

2010-05-13T16:35:00.000-05:00

Over the next few weeks, we will be announcing the awards recipients for our upcoming Fair Wisconsin Leadership Awards. Today we are pleased to announce that we will be honoring Madison attorney Lester Pines for amazing leadership in the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.

Lester, a senior partner at Cullen Weston Pines & Bach LLP, has been a tireless advocate for the LGBT community.

Currently, Lester is representing, pro-bono, William McConkey, an Oshkosh lecturer, in a challenge to the legality of the 2006 amendment to the state's Constitution banning same-sex marriage and civil unions. In McConkey v. J.B. Van Hollen, Pines and his client argue that the two propositions in the amendment proposed to the voters should have been presented to them as two separate questions. If successful, the challenge will take the discriminatory amendment off the books.

Last July, when Wisconsin Family Action asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear their challenge to the statewide domestic partner registry, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen declined to defend the State against the challenge. Gov. Doyle then appointed Lester to defend the State in the case. Lester succeeded in getting the Supreme Court to deny the petition, thus successfully defending the registry and protecting Wisconsin’s first pro-fairness piece of legislation in almost 30 years.

Lester focuses primarily on civil litigation, criminal defense, labor & employment and business. He is a highly respected litigator throughout the state of Wisconsin and has also litigated on federal matters in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and New York.

Lester is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison Law School, a Master in the James E. Doyle Chapter of the American Inns of Court, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

His commitment to fighting for equality for all Wisconsinites is truly commendable and we’re proud to honor him with a Fair Wisconsin Leadership Award.

Do you know someone you think should be nominated for a Fair Wisconsin Leadership Award? Click here to nominate them and to RSVP for the event!

Fair Wisconsin to Marquette University: Discrimination is Unacceptable

2010-05-10T15:52:00.000-05:00

Last week, Marquette University announced their decision to rescind an official offer to Dr. Jodi O’Brien to become the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. An out lesbian, Dr. O’Brien has spent a significant portion of her career publishing works that delve into the sociological aspects of being a lesbian, which has led Marquette University to their unfortunate decision.

Today, Fair Wisconsin Education Fund Board President Robert J. Starshak, M.D. and Marquette University alum sent a letter to Reverend Wild to express his and the Board of Directors “profound disappointment with the recent turn of events” because it “sends the wrong message about Marquette University to communities of faith, members of the LGBT community and all Wisconsin citizens.”

Here is the full text of the letter:

May 10, 2010

Reverend Robert A. Wild, S.J. 
Office of the President 
Marquette University 
Zilber Hall 441 
PO Box 1881 
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881

Dear Reverend Wild,
    I am writing to you on behalf of the Board of Directors of Fair Wisconsin Education Fund, the statewide organization dedicated to advancing, achieving and protecting the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Wisconsinites. We achieve this mission by educating about the harms of all forms of discrimination and by building inclusive communities and workplaces.
    We at Fair Wisconsin wish to express our profound disappointment with the recent turn of events surrounding the rescinded offer to Dr. Jodi O’Brien to serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.   Regardless of whether the decision was based on Dr. O’Brien’s sexual orientation or the subject matter of her previously published works, this action sends the wrong message about Marquette University to communities of faith, members of the LGBT community and all Wisconsin citizens. As leaders in the fight for equality, we work with businesses, government and individuals across the state who wish to build inclusive workplaces and attract and retain a diverse workforce.   We would welcome the opportunity to work with Marquette University to enhance its diversity.
    Marquette University has demonstrated its willingness to expand its diversity. For example, there is an annual lecture that is hosted by the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at Marquette University that is named in my parents’ honor. The very existence of this lecture series (and the GSA) emphasizes the critical impact your institution and your leadership have on the lives of your students, faculty and surrounding community, many of whom are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. I have been proud to support this inclusive event that demonstrates the need for expanded diversity among Marquette’s student body and faculty.
    I hope that you will reconsider this ill-advised decision about Dr. O’Brien. It sends a message that does not accurately reflect the inclusivity that is encapsulated in Marquette University’s Statement on Human Dignity and Diversity. Further, it can add to the perception of a lack of diversity at Marquette University that has been identified by accrediting organizations.
    I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter. There are ways that Marquette University and Fair Wisconsin Education Fund may work together to address these concerns and build greater understanding between our organizations, communities of faith and the LGBT community. A meeting can be arranged by contacting Fair Wisconsin Executive Director, Katie Belanger, at 608.441.0143 x308.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Starshak, M.D.  
President, Fair Wisconsin Education Fund 
B.S. Biology Marquette University 1964 
M.D. Marquette School of Medicine, Inc. 1968

CC:    Dr. John Pauly, Office of the Provost
          Dr. William Wellburn, Associate Provost for Diversity 
          Ms. Stephanie Russell, Executive Director of Mission and Ministry 
          Mr. Darren R. Jackson, Chair of the Marquette Board of Trustees

Who would you honor with a Fair Wisconsin Leadership Award?

2010-05-06T17:03:00.000-05:00

The Third Annual Fair Wisconsin Leadership Awards are coming up and there are some exciting new additions. These awards honor statewide leaders who have stood up for fairness for the LGBT community. In addition, this year we're also celebrating the one-year anniversary of domestic partner protections. In the past our awards have gathered pro-fairness leaders such as Governor Jim Doyle, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and State Representative Mark Pocan.

This year we will be hosting events in both Madison and Milwaukee. The Madison event will be at Samba Brazilian Grill on June 2 and the Milwaukee event will be at Pridefest on June 11.

There is still time to be a sponsor the event and be included on the invitation. Click here for details.

This year, we are asking you to help us honor the community leaders who are the backbone of our fight for equality. We want to hear from activists from all around the state to tell us who they think deserves a Fair Wisconsin Leadership Award. If you know someone in your area who has made an impact, click here to tell us about them!

Over the next month, we'll be profiling all the awards recipients on our blog and in emails to you. So stay tuned as we celebrate those who are fighting for us.

Dinner and a movie tomorrow night in Manitowoc!

2010-05-05T12:34:00.000-05:00

Be sure to join the Manitowoc Fair Wisconsin Action Network and PFLAG Manitowoc tomorrow night for dinner and a movie! PFLAG will be meeting for dinner at Marietti's Deli before the 7.00 P.M. showing of the award-winning film "Milk."

Thursday, May 6, 2010
5.30 P.M. Dinner at Marietti's Deli (823 Buffalo Street, Manitowoc)
7.00 P.M. Screening of "Milk" (434 N 8th Street, Manitowoc)

Please RSVP to tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com if you haven't already. Don't miss the fun tomorrow night in Manitowoc!

A Frightening Trend

2010-04-29T15:06:00.007-05:00

Just weeks after Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth's threat to prosecute educators for complying with the Healthy Youth Act, Germantown School Board member Diana Kline is acting as "the voice of the people" in publicly attacking the LGBT community.

In an email to fellow school board members and school board administrators, Kline called the National Day of Silence, which was observed at Germantown High School, "misguided propaganda" and warned "about the dangers of a homosexual lifestyle."

National Day of Silence was April 16th, when "hundreds of thousands of students nationwide take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools." Fair Wisconsin was a proud sponsor of National Day of Silence events here in Wisconsin.

To read the article about School Board member Kline's comments, click here.

Students for a Fair Wisconsin reaches out to faith leaders

2010-04-29T14:34:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday night, Students for a Fair Wisconsin and the LGBT Campus Center teamed up for a fantastic event, "Reconciliation: Exploring the Relationship between Faith and Fairness." A roomful of interested students and community members had the opportunity to hear from nine panelists of all different walks of faith and our outstanding moderator, former Fair Wisconsin Faith Outreach Director Eric Peterson.

The panel covered a wide range of questions, everything from historical Judeo-Christian views on LGBT issues to where the various faith communities stand today (many ordaining gay clergy and a few even blessing same-sex unions), ending with speculation on how we can continue to build common ground between people of faith and the LGBT community. Thank you to our moderator, panelists and attendees for making the event such a success!

"Reconciliation: Exploring the Relationship Between Faith and Fairness" is tomorrow!

2010-04-26T18:13:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendar! "Reconciliation: Exploring the Relationship Between Faith and Fairness," sponsored by Students for a Fair Wisconsin and the LGBT Campus Center, is tomorrow evening at UW-Madison and is open to the community!

The event will begin at the Memorial Union's Paul Bunyan Room at 6 P.M. Eric Peterson, Chief of Staff for Senator Lena Taylor and former Faith Outreach Director at Fair Wisconsin, will serve as moderator. Our panelists include:

Rev. Curt Anderson, First Congregational (UCC)
Tom Bauer and Woody Carey, Covenant Presbyterian
Pen Bruskin, a longtime queer Jewish organizer
Chris Calvey, president of Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers
Rev. Brent Christianson, Lutheran Campus Center
Rev. Tom Ferguson, St Francis House (Episcopal)
Rev. Karen Gustafson, First Unitarian Society
Rodney Yasushi Horikawa, Mahayana Buddhist and social justice educator
Rev. JungJa Haynes Lee, University Methodist Church

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from leaders who believe that faith and LGBT equality are not irreconcilable issues. Hope to see you tomorrow!

Fair Wisconsin Urges Congress to Pass Enda Now

2010-04-24T15:25:00.000-05:00

Fair Wisconsin is proud to stand with more than 200 LGBT and Allied Groups to call on Congress to pass ENDA now. Yesterday, the nation’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations, along with allies in the faith, labor and civil rights communities, issued the following statement to members of the United States Congress: “Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act NOW.”

For a complete list of organizations who signed, including Fair Wisconsin, check out endanow.com.

Feingold leads fight against Ugandan "Anti-Homosexuality Bill"

2010-04-23T18:02:00.001-05:00

Last week the Senate passed a resolution, cosponsored by Senator Russ Feingold, condemning the Ugandan Parliament’s “Anti-Homosexuality Bill.” The bill, introduced last October, would increase penalties for homosexuality in Uganda, including instating the death penalty. The Senate’s resolution even goes further, calling on all countries to decriminalize consensual relations between persons of the same sex.

“Sadly, this legislation is just one example of actions taken around the world to restrict the rights of people just because of their gender or sexual orientation,” Feingold said in a press release. “We need to speak out consistently against all such discrimination.”

The Senators' resolution also called on Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to "closely monitor human rights abuses that occur because of sexual orientation and to encourage the repeal or reform of laws...that permit such abuses."

Click here to check out Feingold's press release.

Faith Panel in Madison Next Tuesday

2010-04-19T16:37:00.002-05:00

Join Students for a Fair Wisconsin and the UW-Madison LGBT Campus Center Tuesday for a discussion on faith and LGBT issues!

Titled "Reconciliation: Exploring the Relationship Between Faith and Fairness," the event features faith leaders from several different religious backgrounds coming together to discuss reconciling religious beliefs, customs and traditions with LGBT equality.

Eric Peterson, Chief of Staff for Senator Lena Taylor and former Faith Outreach Director for Fair Wisconsin, will serve as the event's moderator.

Please join us on Tuesday, April 27 at 6 P.M. in the Paul Bunyan Room of UW-Madison's Memorial Union for this fantastic opportunity to hear from important community members about the relationship between faith and LGBT equality.

If you have questions about the event, please contact Outreach Director Tim Ewing at tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com.

Fair Wisconsin celebrates allies in Oshkosh!

2010-04-16T15:46:00.008-05:00

Fair Wisconsin--staff and student organizers--was thrilled to participate Wednesday evening in UW-Oshkosh's first annual Ally March! Following speeches by faculty and student allies, Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger delivered the keynote address on the important roles of ambassadors and educators that allies play in the movement to achieve full equality. Afterwards, with signs, rainbow flags and chants, marchers progressed from campus to the park near Oshkosh's historic Grand Opera House for the reading of the ally pledge.

We congratulate UW-Oshkosh and the March's organizers on such a successful event, and we hope to march again next year!

Baldwin statement on Obama's move to protect same-sex couples

2010-04-16T15:22:00.000-05:00

Statement of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin

On President Obama’s signing of a presidential memorandum regarding the visitation rights of hospital patients and the ability to designate surrogate decision makers in the case of emergencies

April 15, 2010

“President Obama’s decision to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to take steps to ensure that hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid respect the rights of patients to receive visitors and designate others to make decisions about medical care in the case of an emergency is the right one. It follows the lead of many states and makes a strong statement about who we are as a nation and what we value.

No one should face the distress of lying ill or injured in a hospital bed with the loved one you designate barred from your bedside for any other than a compelling medical reason. For too long, such access has been arbitrarily denied many individuals, most especially to gay and lesbian Americans.

President Obama’s action tonight puts us another step closer toward our goal of equal rights for all Americans and I applaud his decision.”

Break the Silence Tomorrow in Madison!

2010-04-15T14:05:00.002-05:00

Join UW Allies, the UW-Madison LGBT Campus Center, Students for a Fair Wisconsin and Gay-Straight Alliance for Safe Schools tomorrow in a silent march up State Street to mark the National Day of Silence!

Marchers should assemble in Library Mall by 4.30 P.M. State Representative Kelda Helen Roys, a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, will lead the procession up State Street to the west steps of the Capitol, where we will count down to the breaking of the silence!

Don't miss what promises to be a powerful event--and a beautiful day for a pro-fairness march!

The Day of Silence is the annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their supporters. Students take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBT students and their supporters.

Allies Rally to Support LGBT Community

2010-04-14T14:05:00.001-05:00

Come join us tonight at UW-Oshkosh as the UW-Oshkosh LGBTQ Resource Center hosts their 1st Annual Ally Rally! Allies are gathering at the Kolf Sports Center at 5.30 P.M., where Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger, as keynote speaker, will be talking about the critical role of allies in building a fair Wisconsin. At 6.30 P.M., the attendees will be marching to Grand Opera Square.

Other campuses are busy generating awareness of LGBT issues as well. Students for a Fair Wisconsin at UW-Milwaukee held a Transgender Awareness event Tuesday, March 13. Around 20 people came to learn about transgender history, common misconceptions about transgendered individuals and the problems they face in the community, and how to use social justice networks to work for change!

UW-Madison’s LGBT Campus Center began hosting events the first week of April and will continue until the end of the month. Their theme is Intersectionality, with each week having a different focus. April 27 marks their People of Faith and the LGBT Community Panel, co-sponsored by Students for a Fair Wisconsin, which will feature diverse ministers and community members.

For more information on the Ally Rally, visit their Facebook page! Interested in going to one of the many UW-Madison events? Check out the LGBTCC events page!

Training Opportunity for LGBT Candidates and Activists

2010-04-09T09:15:00.000-05:00

The Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute’s Candidate and Campaign Training program is coming to Minneapolis this June 3-6.

The four day, intensive workshop is aimed at educating LGBT candidates, campaign staff and community leaders about the art of running a successful political campaign. Attendees spend the day working with top national political strategists (including Fair Wisconsin Board Member Heather Colburn) and use what they learn to work together and conduct a campaign simulation at night.

Elections are a critical component in our path towards full equality, so we need more LGBT leaders running for office and making sure pro-fairness candidates are elected around the state. For more information about this fantastic opportunity, visit the training website today.

Congratulations, candidates!

2010-04-07T10:50:00.001-05:00

Fair Wisconsin PAC is pleased to congratulate the following pro-fairness candidates on their successes in the spring elections yesterday:

Dane County Board of Supervisors

District 1 - Scott McDonell

District 4 - Brett Hulsey

District 5 - Analiese Eicher

District 7 - Matt Veldran

District 12 - Paul Rusk

District 13 - Chuck Erickson

District 18 - Melissa Sargent

District 24 - Robin Schmidt

District 26 - Sharon Corrigan

District 27 - Kyle Richmond

District 30 - Patrick Downing

District 34 - Patrick Miles

District 35 - Denise Duranczyk

Green Bay City Council

District 7 - Ned Dorff

Kenosha County Board of Supervisors

District 4 - Michael Goebel

Manitowoc City Council

District 5 - Matt Kadow

Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors

District 25 - Laurie Burke

Rock County Board of Supervisors

District 29 - Katie Kuznacic

Thank you to all of the candidates endorsed this spring for your continued support of equality! And thanks to all of you who went to the polls on a rainy day to make your voice heard!!

Vote Today!

2010-04-05T14:41:00.002-05:00

It’s Election Day, so make sure you get to the polls and cast your vote for fairness!

Ensuring pro-fairness policy makers are elected in local races around the state is a big step towards future legislative victories that will help us build a fair Wisconsin. Every vote counts, so we’re counting on each of you to get out and vote today.

More information about polling places, proof of residence for registration and a list of the candidates Fair Wisconsin is endorsing this spring can be found on the vote page of our website.

Dane County: Get Out the Vote!

2010-04-02T16:09:00.000-05:00

The spring elections may be four days away, but you can get involved tomorrow to help Fair Wisconsin and allied groups get out the vote in Dane County! Whether you'd rather be outdoors, soaking up this nice weather while you remind voters to get to the polls, or sitting comfortably and cranking out phone calls, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved!

SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd

10 A.M. Lit Drops

Barbara McKinney, District 15: meet at Yola's Cafe, 494 Commerce Drive in Madison

Supervisor Kyle Richmond, District 27: meet at 1518 Cedar Street in Madison
Supervisor Paul Rusk, District 12: meet at 1501 Pleasure Drive in Madison
Sharon Corrigan, District 26: meet at 6991 Friendship Lane in Middleton

12 P.M. Lit Drops

Supervisor Elaine DeSmidt, District 3: meet at 4709 Milwaukee Street in Madison

Supervisor Robin Schmidt, District 24: meet at 5606 Tonyawatha Trail in Monona

Melissa Sargent, District 18: meet at 1917 Schlimgen Road in Madison

3 P.M. Lit Drops

Gordon Shea, District 20: meet at 1168 Carriage Drive in Sun Prairie

Supervisor Patrick Downing, District 30: 213 S Fifth Street in Mount Horeb

6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Phone Bank

Fair Wisconsin phone bank for pro-fairness candidates in Dane County. 122 State Street, Suite 500, Madison. Use the Dayton Street/Tiki Shack entrance!

MONDAY, APRIL 5th

6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Phone Bank

Fair Wisconsin phone bank for pro-fairness candidates in Dane County. 122 State Street, Suite 500, Madison. Use the Dayton Street/Tiki Shack entrance!

We hope you'll be able to help us get out the vote this weekend. And make sure you get to the polls, as well!

Cast Your Vote for Fairness Next Tuesday

2010-03-30T21:31:00.000-05:00

Statewide elections are only one week away! Electing pro-fairness representatives is vital to building a fair Wisconsin, so be sure to vote next Tuesday, April 6th.

Our new website features a vote page, which has all the information you need to find your polling place, learn about registration and check out which candidates Fair Wisconsin is endorsing this spring.

See you at the polls!

National LGBT Health Awareness Week

2010-03-29T13:52:00.000-05:00

This week is the 8th annual National LGBT Health Awareness Week, sponsored by the National Coalition for LGBT Health. The Coalition wants to raise attention to the discrepancies in health care for LGBT citizens with this year’s theme “Closing the Gap.”

In commemoration of the week, Lambda Legal is asking LGBT people and those living with HIV who have experienced health care discrimination to share their stories. These stories will be utilized by their Health Care Fairness Campaign, launched in 2009 to discover the health care needs of LGBT citizens and ensure adequate, quality care for all.

The Health Care Fairness Campaign has also released its recent study of 5,000 LGBT people and people living with HIV and their experience with the health care system. When Health Care Isn’t Caring is currently available for download.

For more information and resources concerning LGBT health, please visit the National LGBT Health Awareness Week’s website.

Free Seminar: Addressing the State of Our Unions

2010-03-26T12:13:00.002-05:00

Fair Wisconsin would like to invite you to attend a free seminar for same-sex couples being held in Madison on Saturday, May 1. The seminar, titled “Addressing the State of Our Unions,” is a great opportunity to learn more about important legal issues and protections for same-sex couples.

Details
Saturday, May 1, 2010
9am-12pm
US Bank Building, 1 S. Pinckney St., 4th Floor, Madison

You have the opportunity to attend three of six presentations on topics such as adoption, financial planning, domestic partnership agreements, employee rights and more.

Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger will also be speaking at the close of the seminar, along with leaders from several other area LGBT organizations.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity! Registration is due on April 21 and can be completed by phone (608.283.1794) or online. Space is limited, so register soon.

We hope to see you there!

The New Face of Fairness

2010-03-25T15:19:00.006-05:00

Fair Wisconsin is thrilled to share our brand new website with you! Weeks of hard work, long evenings at the office and the blood sweat and tears of our dedicated staff have gone into the creation of what we hope will be a great resource for all supporters of fairness in Wisconsin.

Check out our new Action Center to find out how you can join a local Action Network, a Students for Fair Wisconsin chapter and so much more!

Read Building a Fair Wisconsin, our new issue center, to see how we're Protecting LGBT Couples, Supporting Gender Identity & Expression, and Focusing on Children & Families.

Subscribe to the Fair Wisconsin blog to stay up to date on everything happening here at Fair Wisconsin and around the state. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter and fan us on Facebook!

Contribute to Fair Wisconsin to make sure we have the resources to keep fighting for full equality.

HUD Launches First Ever Study of LGBT Housing Discrimination

2010-03-25T12:37:00.002-05:00

The U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development announced the launch of a new study on LGBT housing discrimination last week.

Though there have been state and university studies done on the subject, this will be the first national study to examine housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The study is currently under development. HUD has held town hall meetings in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, but would like feedback from the community nationwide on common areas of discrimination, such as during property showings, and ideas on implementation, like ways that a tester could indicate that they are LGBT without bringing their partner along.

Fair Wisconsin applauds HUD for their work in this important area of LGBT life, and encourages anyone with ideas for HUD to visit their website and offer your input.

Also, for more information on Wisconsin’s discrimination laws, visit our new website at www.fairwisconsin.com!

NJ Gay Marriage Battle Back in Court

2010-03-24T12:24:00.000-05:00

Gay couples who sued New Jersey for marriage equality four years ago have teamed up with Lambda Legal and took their case back to court last Thursday.

In 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unanimously that gay couples deserve equal treatment, resulting in the Legislature’s decision to implement civil unions. The plaintiffs are stating, however, that institutions such as schools, hospitals and employers do not always recognize their rights.

A 2008 report by the state’s Civil Union Review Commission supports this statement.

"We came back to the court to turn equal rights on paper into equal rights in the real world," said Hayley Gorenberg a lawyer from Lambda Legal representing the group.

According to a recent AP article, “the court could agree with the group or reject the motion, agree but require legislative action to legalize gay marriage, or appoint a special master to study the issue.”

Fair Wisconsin speaks out against hate crimes

2010-03-23T15:12:00.013-05:00

Students for a Fair Wisconsin's UW-Milwaukee chapter hosted an informational discussion on hate crimes last Tuesday, March 16. Members spoke to the approximately 30 attendees about the history of hate crimes, examples in America, their prevalence today, and how discrimination laws work in Wisconsin. The discussion also covered people's personal experiences, whether hate crime legislation is effective, and how people define hate crimes.

"If we live in the world as who we are, the great community gets the chance to meet us, learn more about us, and see that all of us are not any different than they are," said Will Chaussee, Chair of Students for a Fair Wisconsin at UW-Milwaukee.

Just days before the event, the State Office of Justice Assistance released a new report on hate crimes in Wisconsin. According to the report, Wisconsin experienced 99 hate crimes in 2008, up from 74 in 2007. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation were second only to race.

The report indicated that 21 percent of all 2008 hate crimes in Wisconsin were committed against the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. As Executive Director Katie Belanger recently explained to the Badger Herald, this does not include the transgender community, which currently has no protections under state law.

"We've got a long way to go to build a fairer Wisconsin where all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, are safe, and Fair Wisconsin is committed to leading that fight."

For more information on the report, visit the FBI's 2008 Hates Crimes page.

Fair Wisconsin PAC announces spring elections endorsements!

2010-03-22T17:18:00.005-05:00

The Fair Wisconsin Political Action Committee is pleased to announce its endorsements for the April 6th, 2010 elections:

BROWN COUNTY BOARD

District 1: Adam Warpinski

COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD

District 7: Margo Miller

GREEN BAY CITY COUNCIL

District 7: Ned Dorff

KENOSHA COUNTY BOARD

District 4: Michael Goebel
District 20: Jennifer Jackson

MANITOWOC CITY COUNCIL

District 5: Matt Kadow

MANITOWOC COUNTY BOARD

District 11: J.J. Ploederl
District 25: Laurie Burke

ROCK COUNTY BOARD

District 22: Julie Spangler
District 29: Katie Kuznacic

We thank these candidates for their support of the LGBT community, and wish them well in their spring elections!

The Fair Wisconsin PAC seeks to support and elect pro-fairness candidates in both state and local elections in order to continue taking important steps towards equality. For more information about Fair Wisconsin, our mission and our legislative priorities, please visit us online at http://www.fairwisconsin.com/.

Fair Wisconsin PAC announces Dane County Board endorsements!

2010-03-19T13:22:00.001-05:00

UPDATES AS OF 3.19.2010: Fair Wisconsin PAC will continue to roll out endorsements in the Dane County Board elections. Bolded candidates below indicate new endorsements since the original publication of this post on 3.17.2010.

The Fair Wisconsin Political Action Committee is pleased to announce its endorsements for the Dane County Board of Supervisors elections on April 6, 2010.

District 1: Supervisor Scott McDonell
District 3: Supervisor Elaine De Smidt
District 4: Supervisor Brett Hulsey
District 5: Analiese Eicher
District 7: Supervisor Matt Veldran
District 8: Supervisor Carousel Andrea Bayrd
District 12: Supervisor Paul Rusk
District 13: Supervisor Chuck Erickson
District 15: Barbara McKinney
District 18: Melissa Sargent
District 20: Gordon Shea
District 24: Supervisor Robin Schmidt
District 26: Sharon Corrigan
District 27: Supervisor Kyle Richmond
District 30: Supervisor Pat Downing
District 33: Sam Cooke
District 34: Patrick Miles
District 35: Supervisor Denise Duranczyk

We thank these candidates for their support of the LGBT community, and wish them well in their spring elections!

The Fair Wisconsin PAC seeks to support and elect pro-fairness candidates in both state and local election in order to continue taking important steps towards equality. For more information about Fair Wisconsin, our mission and legislative priorities, please visit us online at www.fairwisconsin.com.

Milwaukee-Based Insurer Targeted HIV Patients

2010-03-18T14:32:00.002-05:00

Assurant Health, an insurance company headquartered in Milwaukee, has been charged by the South Carolina Supreme Court for targeting policy holders with HIV and revoking their coverage.

The case revolved around Jerome Mitchell, a young man from South Carolina whose coverage was wrongfully dropped and who was awarded $10 million from the company, formerly known as Fortis, in September 2009. The Court has recently uncovered private records from the case that show there was a company policy targeting clients with HIV.

A Reuters article from yesterday described the policy: “A computer program and algorithm targeted every policyholder recently diagnosed with HIV for an automatic fraud investigation, as the company searched for any pretext to revoke their policy. As was the case with Mitchell, their insurance policies often were canceled on erroneous information, the flimsiest of evidence, or for no good reason at all, according to the court documents and interviews with state and federal investigators.”

The Courts are charging Assurant Health with “reprehensible conduct” after also uncovering evidence that the company attempted to hide the practice.

More information can be found in the Reuters article.

Senators Call for the End of the Gay Blood Donation Ban

2010-03-17T16:57:00.001-05:00

A letter sent last Thursday to the Food and Drug Administration from 18 Senators is calling for the end of a discriminatory policy that bans men who have had sex with men since 1977 from donating blood.

John Kerry, along with 16 fellow Democrats and Vermont’s independent Sen. Bernie Sanders emphasized in their letter that science has dramatically advanced since the early 1980s.

“Not a single piece of scientific evidence supports the ban,” said Kerry said.

In a statement, the FDA maintained otherwise, saying ''while FDA appreciates concerns about perceived discrimination, our decision to maintain the deferral policy is based on current science and data and does not give weight to a donor's sexual orientation.''

Brian Moulton, chief legislative counsel for the Human Rights Campaign, released a statement supporting the senators, saying “it is long past time for the FDA to bring this policy in line with modern science and set rules that keep the blood supply safe, while allowing the many gay and bisexual men with little or no risk of HIV to help those in need by donating blood.”

For more information, read last week’s New York Times article.

Census to Include LGBT Couples

2010-03-15T16:35:00.003-05:00

The 2010 Census, which begins April 1st, is the first census which allows same-sex couples the opportunity to indicate their relationship status.

Any member of the household can fill out the census for their household, and that person is now able to say how each member of the household is related to them. This means that if you live with your partner, you can mark them down as your husband, wife, or unmarried partner.

The Census is taken every ten years to allocate seats in the House of Representatives, and determines allocation of government funds for the next ten years.

Make sure your family is counted! This is the first step in making sure the 2020 Census is fully inclusive for all and that Wisconsin is able to maximize our federal funding.

For more information on how the 2010 Census is more inclusive, download this fact sheet from the Williams Institute! For more on the Census go to www.census.gov.

Building Bridges with the Faith Community!

2010-03-13T08:01:00.004-06:00

Faith, hope and love were the takeaway messages from the Milwaukee Fair Wisconsin Action Network's March 11th meeting about the relationship between LGBT issues and the Bible. Action Network Co-Chair Cylest Andaloro-Brooks, whose academic background includes intensive religious education at a private college in Northern Illinois, presented on the ways in which anti-fairness community leaders have used the Bible to marginalize and discriminate against LGBT people. Cylest also examined ways that the LGBT and allied community can find messages of inspiration and strength, rather than hatred, in the Bible.

The topic is one of considerable interest in Milwaukee and around the state. Said one person of faith present at Thursday night's event: "I am glad I was able to attend because it provided an outlet for one of my biggest irritations with religion. I think Fair Wisconsin is definitely making a difference in changing the conversation about discrimination against LGBT."

Thanks to Cylest for her fantastic presentation on building common ground between people of faith and the LGBT community! If you would like more information on Cylest's presentation, the Fair Wisconsin Action Networks or how you can help keep the dialogue alive, contact Outreach Director Tim Ewing at tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com today!

VA Attorney General Drops Protections for Gays in Higher Education

2010-03-12T11:33:00.000-06:00

Virginia’s attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli, sent a letter to state colleges and universities last Thursday asking them to end policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender.

According to Cucinnelli, schools didn’t have the “proper authority” to set up non-discrimination policies and must rescind them.

"It is my advice that the law and public policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia prohibit a college or university from including 'sexual orientation,' 'gender identity,' 'gender expression,' or like classification as a protected class within its non-discrimination policy absent specific authorization from the General Assembly," Cucinnelli wrote in the letter.

Equality Virginia is busy organizing a response to this threat to the basic human rights of members of Virginia’s college and university communities. To learn how, visit their website.

Milwaukee Fair Wisconsin Action Network event tonight!

2010-03-11T15:52:00.003-06:00

Are you tired of anti-gay opinion leaders using the Bible to encourage discrimination? Ready to brainstorm some responses to help build a bridge of understanding between people of faith and the LGBT community? Join the Milwaukee Fair Wisconsin Action Network tonight as they explore these controversial passages and offer hopeful insights!

Thursday, March 11th
7 P.M. - 9 P.M.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church
1239 W Mineral Street in Milwaukee

Hope to see you tonight in Milwaukee!

Mexico City and D.C. Legalize Same Sex Marriage

2010-03-11T08:33:00.002-06:00

Both Mexico City and the District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriages last week.
D.C. began allowing same-sex marriages last Tuesday, March 2. D.C. Governor Adrian Fenty signed the bill in December of last year. Though the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act had faced challenges from a group of D.C voters, the Supreme Court refused to hear the challenge. Couples were able to apply for marriage licenses last Wednesday, and started to go into effect this week. (D.C. already held civil unions, and also recognizes marriages from other states.)
A law allowing same-sex marriage in Mexico City also went into effect on Thursday, March 4.
Fair Wisconsin congratulates Mexico City and D.C. for their work towards full equality for same-sex couples as we continue our own work in Wisconsin.
Learn more about Mexico City and D.C.

Presbyterian Group Votes to Ordain Gay Madison Man

2010-03-09T15:02:00.002-06:00

A group of Madison-area Presbyterians voted in late February to ordain Scott Anderson, an only gay man with a long-term partner.

Last week, Phil Haslanger, pastor at the Memorial United Church of Christ in Fitchburg, wrote a column for the Capital Times supporting this historic decision.

Haslanger noted that, “Anderson put it eloquently in his statement seeking ordination, saying that he and his long-term partner ‘sought to cultivate the kind of fidelity and love and self-giving that the Bible lifts up as God’s loving intention for married couples.’”

If Anderson is ordained, he will be the first gay man in a long-term relationship to serve in the Presbyterian Church.

For more information, see Haslanger’s article in the Capital Times.

The Fair Wisconsin Milwaukee Action Network will be tackling similar issues of faith and the LGBT community at their meeting this Thursday. For more information, contact Tim at tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com.

Fair Wisconsin speaks at Lieutenant Governor's Conference on LGBT Youth

2010-03-05T16:57:00.005-06:00

Executive Director Katie Belanger and I were thrilled to participate today in the first Lieutenant Governor's Conference on LGBT Youth. The event, hosted by Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) for Safe Schools and Diverse & Resilient, drew over 300 participants from across the state. In addition to workshops about how to make our schools safer for LGBT youth, attendees were treated to a dynamic speech from keynote speaker Paul Wesselmann, MA.

Katie addressed the full group during lunch, emphasizing the need for these attendees to participate in the process of achieving full equality: "Young and old, gay and straight, transgender, queer, bisexual -- whoever you are, however you identify, we need you. I believe that the connection between the personal and the political has never been more evident than within the LGBT and allied movement, and that is the root of our power."

Our thanks to Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, GSA for Safe Schools, Diverse & Resilient and all the other groups who helped to make this conference such a success!

Fair Wisconsin will also be presenting at United Council's Building Unity Conference at UW-Madison this weekend, from 3.30 P.M. to 4.30 P.M. at the Student Activities Center, room 3161. We hope you are able to join us!

Equality Bills Introduced in Minnesota Senate

2010-03-04T12:18:00.004-06:00

On Tuesday evening, the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee met to introduce three marriage equality bills. Two of them, S.F 120 and S.F 1210, would make marriage gender-neutral, and the other, S.F. 1732, would allow Minnesota to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.

Out Front Minnesota, the state’s leading LGBT equality group, coordinated testimony for the bills. University of Minnesota Professor of Constitutional Law Dale Carpenter, along with gay and lesbian couples and parents of LGBT people, dispelled myths about LGBT families and explained the need for equality.

“We're committed to honoring our state's legacy of fairness and justice for Minnesotans and working hard to make marriage equality and other forms of non-discrimination for all GLBT Minnesotans a reality,” Out Front Minnesota said yesterday.

We applaud the Minnesota legislature and Senator John Marty for introducing this bill, and support Out Front Minnesota in their fight for equality.

To watch the entire Senate hearing go here

Inaugural Conference On LGBT Youth

2010-03-02T15:25:00.007-06:00

Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger is excited to be addressing the Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton’s first conference on LGBT youth this Friday at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

The conference, titled Engaged and Empowered: the Lieutenant Governor’s Conference on LGBT Youth, is co-hosted by GSA for Safe Schools and Diverse & Resilient and seeks to provide attendees with the tools and strategies needed to help LGBT youth prosper in schools and communities across Wisconsin.

Workshops will address topics such as bullying in schools, incorporating LGBT issues into the curriculum and addressing health disparities, among others. Teachers, counselors, students, health care and law enforcement professionals are all encouraged to learn more and attend this important event.

For more information, or to register to attend the event, please visit the GSA for Safe School’s website.

A Landmark LGBT Year at the Olympics

2010-03-01T17:21:00.002-06:00

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games, which closed this Sunday, drew an unprecedented amount of attention to LGBT issues.

Brian Burke, the General Manger of the United States national men’s hockey team for the 2010 Olympics and the President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, lost his 21-year-old son Brendan in a car crash on February 5. Brendan was an openly gay hockey player and advocate for gay rights.

Despite the tragedy of losing his son, Burke was in Vancouver hardly a week later. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Burke stated that he will continue Brendan’s work as a gay rights advocate, including marching in the 2010 Toronto Pride Parade.

“I'd promised him I would march with him," Burke said to SI. "He won't be there, but I will."

The 2010 Olympics also saw the first venues to specifically target and welcome LGBT athletes and fans: Pride House, located in both Vancouver and Whistler. We are very excited that our pro-fairness neighbors to the north pioneered this long-overdue step towards equality in athletics. Hopefully the immense success of both Pride Houses will inspire future cities hosting the Olympics to continue this tradition in fairness.

More information about Pride House can be found on their website.

Strides towards fairness also came from American figure skater Johnny Weir after commentators from Australia and French-speaking Quebec made homophobic remarks concerning his performance. Weir is known for his flamboyant costumes and personality and as one of the United States’ most celebrated championship skaters.

Derogatory comments included suggesting that Weir take a gender test and compete against the women and jokes about “leaving nothing in the closet.” Although apologies were issued, Weir instead hopes people learn a lesson in tolerance and begin to consider the effect their words have on young people around the world.

“I want them to think before they speak. I want them to think about not only the person they're talking about, but also other people like that person," Weir told the Washington Post. "What people as a majority need to do is think, and think about who they're affecting. ... I don't want, 50 years from now, more boys and girls to go through this same thing."

Fair Wisconsin is pleased with the moves toward LGBT equality and acceptance at this year’s Olympics, as well as the leadership and poise displayed by Weir in the face of homophobia, and hopes to see this continue and grow in future!

Fair Wisconsin Celebrates Passage of the Healthy Youth Act

2010-02-26T14:34:00.004-06:00

Fair Wisconsin is proud to join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin and the Healthy Youth Alliance to celebrate the passage of the Healthy Youth Act, which provides a more inclusive understanding of sexuality for students across Wisconsin.

“Fair Wisconsin is pleased that young men and women across the state will receive comprehensive sexual education that includes medically accurate and unbiased information about sexuality and gender,” said Katie Belanger, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin.

This bill states that schools teaching sex education must do so in a responsible and comprehensive way, providing medically accurate and age appropriate information about sexuality, abstinence and birth control to prevent teen pregnancies, and STDs including HIV/AIDS.

“This groundbreaking legislation will ensure that Wisconsin’s youth will learn how to reduce their risk and stay healthy within a safe learning environment,” Belanger continued. “We thank Governor Doyle and the members of the State Legislature who understand that all students regardless of sexual orientation deserve a quality education.”

Maryland to Honor Out-of-State Marriages

2010-02-24T15:35:00.001-06:00

Today Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler released the opinion that same-sex couples married in other jurisdictions may be honored in his state. This would make Maryland the second state, following New York, to honor same-sex marriages but not offer licenses themselves.

His opinion stems from a legal standard that states any legal marriage will be recognized by Maryland regardless of where it was performed.

"This important opinion is consistent with the long-standing tradition of legal recognition of valid marriages entered into in other states,” said Massachusetts Senator Richard Madaleno. “And it is a positive development that will mean greater security, stability and peace of mind for legally married same-sex spouses whose marriages should rightfully be honored here at home."

We at Fair Wisconsin would like to congratulate our friends at Equality Maryland on this exciting victory.

Click here to read Equality Maryland’s press release about this important event in the fight for marriage equality.

Homophobic Remarks Booed at CPAC

2010-02-23T14:52:00.002-06:00

GOProud, a recently formed gay Republican organization, fought against boycott attempts and protestors to be among the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) attendees. Their booth was separated by only one table from the National Organization for Marriage.

In the video above, Ryan Sorba, a member of the conservative organization California Young Americans for freedom, condemned CPAC for allowing GOProud to attend and sponsor the conference.

“Civil rights are grounded in natural rights. Natural rights are grounded in human nature. Human nature is a rational substance in relationship to the intelligible end of the reproductive act is reproduction.”

His anti-gay remarks were met with booing from the audience.

Equality should not be a partisan issue, and we’re glad that even members of conservative groups like CPAC can speak out against homophobia and the hateful words of people like Ryan Sorba.

The video can also be found here.

Fair Wisconsin Presents At MBLGTACC

2010-02-23T14:50:00.001-06:00

Fair Wisconsin’s Outreach Director Tim Ewing and Vice President of the Green Bay Sexuality and Gender Alliance-Fair Wisconsin Jeff Mayefske presented a workshop last Saturday titled “Building a Fair Wisconsin” at the 2010 MBLGTACC. The workshop gave the history of our organization, discussed future legislative, electoral and educational goals, and finished with an in-depth look at how everyone can get involved in creating a Fair Wisconsin.
The workshop was well attended, with a lively Q&A at the end and a lot of interest from attendees, Tim Ewing said, and he felt it was a success for informing students about our organization and how they can get involved.
MBLGTACC is the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference 2010. Hosted this year by UW-Madison, it is the second largest queer conference in the country, and brings people and presenters from all over the United States.

Efforts to Ban Gay Marriage Fail in Iowa

2010-02-17T11:08:00.000-06:00

Last week, Iowa Republicans attempted to begin the process of amending the Iowa Constitution to ban gay marriage, but failed to receive the necessary vote in either the House or Senate.

Republicans wanted to reopen House Joint Resolution 6, which would define marriage as between a man and a woman. Last spring the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against this measure, citing that constitutional equal protection should allow same-sex couples to get married.

If passed in both the House and Senate, the legislature would need to approve HJR 6 in 2011 and 2012 before putting it on the ballot in 2014.

Click here to read more.

From The Cap Times: Vital Signs: Grothman suggests "don't ask don't tell" for state schools

2010-02-16T15:29:00.002-06:00

The Cap Times recently covered some disturbing comments from State Senator Glenn Grothman about instituting a Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy for Wisconsin Teachers.

“Grothman's opposition to discussing and recognizing different sexual orientations in schools seems to come [from] his belief that instructors who lead these talks would have what he called an ‘agenda’ to persuade students to become gay…

Back when he went to high school in Mequon, he recalled, the issue never, ever came up. ‘Did people even know what homosexuality was in high school in 1975? I don't remember any discussion about that at the time. There were a few guys who would make fun of a few effeminate boys,’ he said, ‘but that's a different thing than homosexuality.’

‘Homosexuality,’ Grothman remembered, ‘was not on anybody's radar. And that's a good thing.’”

The entire article can be read here. Check out GSAFE Executive Director Cindy Crane’s response here.

Chippewa Valley Fair Wisconsin Action Network meeting tomorrow night!

2010-02-15T15:23:00.003-06:00

Attention, Chippewa Valley Fair Wisconsinites! Be sure to attend the Fair Wisconsin Action Network meeting tomorrow evening in Eau Claire and find out what projects we'll be working on this spring in your area!

Tuesday, February 16th
6 P.M. to 7.30 P.M.
LGBT Community Center of the Chippewa Valley
510 S Farwell Street in Eau Claire

Please RSVP to tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com if you haven't already done so. Hope to see you tomorrow night in Eau Claire!

Support for the Repeal of DADT Grows

2010-02-12T14:55:00.002-06:00

No decisions have been released regarding the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, but support for ending the policy continues to grow.

Last week Adm. Michael Mullins, the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for the repeal of the law that bars gays and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces and was supported by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Gen. Colin Powel, a driving force behind the implementing of “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the 1990s, has also expressed his support for its repeal.

“In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed,” Gen. Powell said.

A review of the policy is expected to take a year, but the Serviceman Legal Defense Network, a group dedicated to the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” is investigating a quicker solution.

For more information about repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” visit the SLDN website.

Join Fair Wisconsin Sunday for Pub Politico!

2010-02-11T14:32:00.005-06:00

Looking for a way to beat the winter blues? Join us Sunday for Pub Politico and learn how you can be a part of building a Fair Wisconsin!

Sunday, February 14th
2 P.M.
Brocach Irish Pub
7 W Main Street in Madison

Pub Politico is a local group interested in politics and public policy. Each month, Pub Politico invites a different expert, policymaker or activist to sit down with their group at Brocach Irish Pub on Capitol Square to talk politics. This month, I'll be speaking about Fair Wisconsin's current projects and how our supporters in Dane County can get involved.

Bring your toughest questions, your best insights, or just come and listen. Enjoy some food, beverage and stimulating dialogue in a great atmosphere. Hope to see you at Brocach on Sunday!

Fair Wisconsin in the Fox Valley tomorrow night!

2010-02-08T14:17:00.004-06:00

The Fox Valley Fair Wisconsin Action Network will be meeting tomorrow night in Appleton for an open discussion on LGBT families. Come and share your family's story, or drop in and learn more about the experiences of LGBT couples in the Fox Valley!

Tuesday, February 9th

7 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.

Harmony Cafe

233 E College Avenue in Appleton

Several people have mentioned they'll be attending Tuesday night's discussion, but if you haven't, please RSVP to tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com. Hope to see you tomorrow night in Appleton!

Fair Wisconsin Action Networks in action!

2010-02-05T16:54:00.005-06:00

Thursday was a busy evening for Fair Wisconsinites! Our Milwaukee Fair Wisconsin Action Network welcomed Fair Wisconsin Education Fund board member Laura Gutknecht to talk about gender identity and expression. Laura led a vibrant and informative discussion on transgender issues and shared some of her own experiences, as well. Fair Wisconsin is excited to build grassroots support for advocacy related to gender identity and expression, and this important dialogue helped to highlight the need for more education work on transgender issues.

Our Manitowoc Fair Wisconsin Action Network also met last night. I shared an Equality State by State 2009 report from the Human Rights Campaign with the group, to show them where Wisconsin ranks after the 2009 passage of domestic partnership protections. Afterwards, we engaged in an energetic conversation about how to build capacity in the Manitowoc area and increase visibility for the "underground" LGBT community there.

Interested in attending a Fair Wisconsin Action Network meeting in your area or volunteering with Fair Wisconsin? Contact me at tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com to find out about opportunities in your area!

Representative Tammy Baldwin speaks out about DADT

2010-02-03T11:24:00.003-06:00

Statement of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
On Today’s Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing
On the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy

February 2, 2010

“President Obama has done the right thing in calling for an end to the un-American and discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. I thank Chairman Levin for holding today’s hearing and was pleased to hear Secretary of Defense Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen, clearly state their support for ending the policy that prevents gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

Since 1997, our armed forces have forced out nearly 11,000 dedicated, skilled, patriotic service members solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. At a time when we need them most, we have lost trained Arabic linguists and other specialists, putting all of our troops and our national security at greater risk. It is high time the U.S. catch up with many of our allies, including some fighting with us in Afghanistan, by ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ These allies have welcomed openly gay and lesbian service members into their ranks with no loss of morale, unit cohesion, or other adverse effect. Certainly we can do the same.

I hope today’s hearing marks the first step toward expeditiously ending the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. I look forward to the results of the Department of Defense (DOD) 45-day review of policy to assess what can be done immediately. However, I believe an implementation study can occur in a much shorter time frame than the eleven months that is currently being proposed.

Secretary Gates testified, ‘We can only take this process so far, as the ultimate decision rests with you, the Congress.’ Secretary Gates is correct and I will continue my strong efforts to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283) to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in our military.

It’s time for Congress to act. Every day this policy remains in place, it does further damage to individuals, to our armed forces, and to our national security.”

Pentagon Officials Review “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

2010-02-02T13:59:00.001-06:00

Today the nation’s highest ranking military officer, Adm. Michael Mullins, called for a repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, which would allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military for the first time in 16 years.

"No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens,” Mullins said.

Obama sparked the debate by calling for the repeal of the 1993 law in his State of the Union address last week, fulfilling a promise made to gay rights activists during his campaign for the presidency.

The Pentagon has announced a review of the policy and how best to implement change, but it may take up to a year to complete.

Click here to read more.

HRC: Looking Back While Moving Forward

2010-02-01T13:39:00.003-06:00

The Human Rights Campaign recently released its “Equality from State to State” report, which measures each state’s individual progress towards equality and also reports on important bills for this year.

The report shows that despite some setbacks, 2009 was a record year for legislation, with more equality bills being passed in 2009 than in 2007 and 2008 combined!

Wisconsin was recognized several times. We joined Colorado, Nevada, Rhode Island and Washington in enacting laws that provide protections for LGBT couples. We were also recognized for introducing LGBT-friendly education bills, including anti-bullying legislation and for the Healthy Youth Act, which just passed in the Senate last week.

Wisconsin was acknowledged in “Outlook for 2010” for the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on whether the 2006 marriage ban is unconstitutional. (You can find more information on McConkey v. Van Hollen on our blog and also here.)

For more information on the State by State Report, visit the Human Rights Campaign website

Healthy Youth Act passes in the Senate!

2010-01-29T12:25:00.001-06:00

We are happy to report that the Senate passed the Healthy Youth Act yesterday by a vote of 18-15!

The bill requires Wisconsin schools that choose to teach sex education provide students with comprehensive information about healthy relationships and preventing unintended pregnancy and STDs. Sexual education classes must include medically accurate and age-appropriate information about abstinence, birth control and barrier methods to prevent unintended pregnancy and STDs.

This legislation not only requires that class materials are not biased towards sexual orientation, but will also ensure that LGBT youth receive sexuality education that is medically accurate and includes information about reducing risky behaviors.

This important piece of legislation couldn’t have passed without you! Thanks to everyone that contacted their legislators and told their family and friends to do the same. This is a huge step forward in making sure our youth have the information available to keep them healthy and strong!

Obama to Congress: Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2010-01-28T15:34:00.003-06:00

During the State of the Union address last night, President Obama promised to work with the military over the next year to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), the ban that only allows LGBT persons to serve in the military if they don’t reveal their sexual orientation.

“We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution: the notion that we're all created equal; that no matter who you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be protected by it; if you adhere to our common values you should be treated no different than anyone else,” Obama said. “This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are. It's the right thing to do.”

Fair Wisconsin applauds President Obama for prioritizing the repeal of an unfair law that that has forced our community into choosing between serving our country and remaining true to themselves. According to the Service Members Legal Defense Fund (SMLD), 183 members of Congress have already signed onto the Military Readiness and Enhancement Act to repeal DADT. With the President’s vocal support, we sincerely hope this legislation can move forward expeditiously.

For more information on Obama’s speech and DADT check out some of the links below.

SMLD FAQ on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Christian Science Monitor

ABC News

The Huffington Post

CNN

Human Rights Campaign

Wisconsin Law Journal: Domestic Partnership Work Expands

2010-01-28T13:23:00.003-06:00

With the passage of domestic partnerships last year, both lawyers and couples are learning how to utilize the new law, as well as make sure their needs not addressed by the limited protections are met, according to the Wisconsin Law Journal.

Since the passage of the domestic partnership law last year, hundreds of couples have visited lawyers to draft agreements relating to care and support of their children and estate planning.

Michelle Perreault, a Madison attorney and member of the Fair Wisconsin Inc. board, says in the article that it’s important for couples to talk about what they want to happen to their houses, children, and money, not only for while they’re together but if they break up. “Married couples have likely considered these possibilities, but gay couples are now thinking about it for the first time,” she says.

Lawyers are also in new territory. The law regarding domestic partnerships is complex and brand new.

The article gives guidelines, important considerations, and resources for both lawyers and couples, as well as naming some attorneys that are becoming well versed in domestic partnership law.

Read the full article here

Read All About It: Prop 8 Trial Winding Down

2010-01-27T17:11:00.001-06:00

It is Day 12 of the California Supreme Court hearings on Proposition 8 and the defense’s last witness is returning to the stand. The Bay Area blog, an extension of the New York Times, expects this to be the last day of testimony for the landmark trial on gay marriage, with closing arguments from both sides coming in the next few weeks.

Although YouTube coverage of the trial was banned, transcripts from the hearings are available online here. Several blogs, such as the Bay Area and Berkeley Law, have also been following the proceedings daily and provide more a concise overview of the last two weeks of testimony.

Queer the Census – Get a Sticker, Get Counted

2010-01-26T14:05:00.001-06:00

The U.S. Census is released every ten years and provides data about the population’s age, sex, race and family type, painting a portrait of our nation’s diversity. But LGBT individuals and families are not included in this critical survey.

That’s why QueertheCensus.org is petitioning the U.S. Census Bureau to include one question identifying sexual orientation: “We know it's a little clichéd – but here's what we want to tell the census: We're here. We're queer. And we want you to ask us about it.”

The campaign is providing pink stickers to seal the 2010 census envelopes of anyone who supports this move towards LGBT inclusion. Click here to get a sticker, or visit queerthecensus.org to learn more about the campaign.

No H8 from Cindy and Meghan McCain

2010-01-25T13:09:00.003-06:00

The wife and daughter of recent Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain demonstrated their support for marriage equality by posing in pictures for California’s NO H8 Campaign.

The pictures, featuring the McCain women with silver duct tape across their mouths and “NO H8” written on one cheek, express that marriage equality is a nonpartisan issue. Text from the NO H8 site reads: “Aligning yourself with the platform of gay marriage as a Republican still tends to be very stigmatic, but Cindy McCain wanted to participate in the campaign to show people that party doesn't matter…”

Fair Wisconsin is so pleased that Cindy and Meghan McCain are educating people across the nation that equality should never be a partisan issue.

Click here to see the pictures or read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012004764.html

Check Out California Marriage Equality Debate on WPR

2010-01-20T13:50:00.001-06:00

Inspired by the California Supreme Court hearings on Proposition 8 that began last week in San Francisco, Joy Cardin invited Peter Sprig, Senior Fellow for Policy Studies at the Family Research Council and Shannon Price Minter, Legal Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights to debate marriage equality on her Wisconsin Public Radio show January 13, 2010.

The trial, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, seeks to determine whether Proposition 8, approved by California voters in 2008 to ban marriage equality, is unconstitutional. This is expected to be a landmark case ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. In Wisconsin, our Supreme Court is also in the process of deciding a challenge to our constitutional amendment banning marriage equality in McConkey v. Van Hollen.

To listen to the entire debate, check out Joy Cardin’s page on WPR’s site.

Madison voted 5th Gayest City in America

2010-01-20T11:35:00.002-06:00

Advocate Magazine voted Madison the fifth gayest city in the country, beating out gay meccas such as New Orleans and Austin, TX.

Advocate's criteria included the amount of registered same-sex couples per capita, whether the state grants protections to same-sex couples, as well as the number of protections, and the number of openly gay public officials in a higher office such as Congress.

Wisconsin received a high score in all of these areas. The recent passage of domestic partnerships, led by Governor Jim Doyle, Senator Mark Miller and Representative Mark Pocan gave us high marks, as we are the first state in the Midwest to legislatively enact protections for same-sex couples.

But lets not forget Wisconsin's proud history of making advancements in LGBT equality, from the passage of our groundbreaking sexual orientation non-discrimination law in 1982, to the election of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin as the first out lesbian elected to federal office in 1998.

On the local level, Dane County has been making strides by electing several out and allied pro-fairness county board supervisors and County Executive Kathleen Falk, who together passed a county registry in 2008 that helped pave the way for statewide domestic partnerships in 2008.

As our community continues to strive for equality, ratings like this one show that our time and energy is not going unnoticed! We thank everyone who continues to work so tirelessly to help Wisconsin take such important steps toward equality and a great place to live!

For the full list of the 15 gayest cities in America, visit www.advocate.com

Victory in D.C.

2010-01-15T15:23:00.002-06:00

The D.C. Superior Court rejected an anti-marriage equality initiative yesterday, preserving the right to marry granted to D.C.’s LGBT citizens in December.
The ruling upheld a decision by the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics not to put the initiative, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman, on the ballot. The board ruled that it breached the district’s Human Rights Law, which protects citizens from discrimination regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.
We congratulate the court on upholding equality in our nation’s capitol and the Campaign for All D.C. Families for all their work to ensure civil marriage equality for all D.C. residents.
The ruling can be viewed at:http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/docs/2009CA008613B.pdf

Domestic Partnerships Top Story of 2009!

2010-01-11T15:01:00.007-06:00

The passage of Wisconsin’s Same-Sex Domestic Partner Registry was Quest Magazine’s Top Gay Wisconsin Story of 2009. In Quest’s article, Fair Wisconsin is credited with doing the “lion’s share of the heavy-lifting for the registry proposal,” including coordinating the critical legal research, coalition building among fair-minded partners, advocacy with gay couples across the state, and consultation with supportive members of both the legislative and executive branches to help craft” the first piece of pro-fairness legislation to pass in Wisconsin in over 27 years.

While we at Fair Wisconsin certainly worked tirelessly to pass domestic partnerships, we could not have done it without the leadership of our Board of Directors, of fair-minded elected officials like Governor Jim Doyle and Joint Finance Co-Chairs Senator Mark Miller and Representative Mark Pocan, and LGBT and allied activists around the state who took the time to contact their legislators, write their local papers and educate their friends and family about how domestic partnership protections are the right step for our state.

Thank you!!!

Check out the rest of Quest’s Top Ten Gay Stories of 2009 here

New Jersey Marriage Vote

2010-01-11T14:23:00.005-06:00

Last Thursday, January 7^th, the New Jersey Senate voted 20-14 against a bill that would have allowed marriage between same-sex couples. If the bill had passed, New Jersey would have become the sixth state in the country to allow same-sex marriage.

Steven Goldstein, chair and CEO for Garden State Equality (GSE), New Jersey’s main LGBT rights group, told voters to not give up hope. GSE and Lambda Legal announced plans to go back to court to fight for marriage equality. Lambda Legal won civil unions for same-sex couples in New Jersey in 2006. Legislators, including opponents of the bill, have stated in recent months that the civil union law has failed to provide equal protection.

Our hearts go out to those couples in New Jersey still waiting for marriage equality, but all is not lost. New Jersey stands at a critical juncture point, and we congratulate GSE and Lambda Legal for all the hard work they’ve done so far!

Full coverage can be found at The New York Times website.

Tell Congress: No More Delays, Pass ENDA Now!

2009-12-11T15:23:00.005-06:00

We have waited long enough for Congress to pass basic job protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. Now, as the House of Representatives continues to stall the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), it's time to be very clear and tell them: No more delays. No more excuses. Pass ENDA now!

If you agree, add your name to support the letter to Congress--which Fair Wisconsin, along with leaders of dozens of state and national LGBT groups, has signed--that states, clearly and unequivocally, that Congress must pass ENDA now and that further delays are absolutely unacceptable.

To sign the petition in support of the letter, just type in your name and address--or, if you've participated in other Equality Federation actions, just type in your email address. Let your voice be heard!

Together, we can make a difference.

Fair Wisconsin in Manitowoc tomorrow!

2009-12-02T15:27:00.002-06:00

Don't forget to join us tomorrow evening in Manitowoc to celebrate domestic partnerships! We'll be joined by Representative Ted Zigmunt and Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels!

Thursday, December 3rd
5.30 P.M. to 7.30 P.M.
Kathie's Stage Door Pub
720 Franklin Street in Manitowoc
Cash bar and hors d'ouevres.

Please RSVP to brita.olsen@fairwisconsin.com right away! Don't miss this exciting opportunity to celebrate domestic partnership protections and find out how you can advance equality in Manitowoc!

Join Fair Wisconsin in Manitowoc next week!

2009-11-24T14:49:00.003-06:00

Come and join us in Manitowoc to celebrate domestic partnership protections! Meet and mingle with Fair Wisconsin staff and pro-fairness elected officials, and enjoy good company and delicious food as we mark this important step toward LGBT equality!

Thursday, December 3rd

5.30pm - 7.30pm

Kathie's Stage Door Pub

701 Franklin Street in Manitowoc

Hors d'ouevres and cash bar

Please RSVP to brita.olsen@fairwisconsin.com at your earliest convenience. Can't wait to see you in Manitowoc!

Let's get ENDA passed this year!

2009-11-23T14:46:00.004-06:00

National Call-In for Equality: Scores of organizations have been working to flood Capitol Hill offices with calls as we move closer to a House vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Congressmembers tell us that what influences them most are calls and emails from people back home. Make a difference, call Capitol Hill now. And get your friends and family members to call as well!

Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224 - 3121. Give your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative.

Suggested script: My name is _______, and I am a proud resident of (your city), Wisconsin. I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017), to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. Please pass ENDA before the end of the year. I can be reached at _______ (your phone number). Thank you.

Let's burn up the phone lines to Congress, telling them ENDA is next, ENDA is now! Let Congress know how important ENDA is to LGBT people and all those who care about equality. Call today!

Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance events!

2009-11-20T15:55:00.004-06:00

Show your support for the transgender community by attending an event to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance (Friday, November 20) or Transgender Awareness Week (November 15 - 21) in your area!

EAU CLAIRE

Friday, November 20: The LGBT Community Center of the Chippewa Valley will be displaying stories and photos from 7pm - 10pm. (510 S Farwell Street)
Saturday, November 21: The LGBT Community Center of the Chippewa Valley will be showing the film "Kinky Boots," about a business man who teams up with a drag queen cabaret singer to save his family business. Discussion to follow the movie for those interested. Admission and popcorn are always free! (510 S Farwell Street)

LA CROSSE

Saturday, November 21: 7 Rivers LGBT Resource Center's youth group, GALAXY, will be watching a video and having a discussion about current transgender issues from 2pm - 4pm. (303 Pearl Street)

MADISON

Friday, November 20: Trans Monologues and Vigil, cosponsored by UW-Madison's LGBT Campus Center and the Ten Percent Society, beginning at 6pm. The Trans Monologues are a night of theater, poems, songs, monologues, and all other creative expressions of transgender identities. Following the Monologues, we will be holding a vigil to remember and honor members of the community who have lost their lives. Ryka Aoki de la Cruz will be speaking at the monologues and the vigil. (A Room of One's Own, 307 W Johnson Street)
Saturday, November 21: Trans People of Color Film Festival, cosponsored by UW-Madison's LGBT Campus Center and Queer People of Color (QPOC), beginning at 4pm. Back to back showings of "Cruel and Unusual," "Still Black," and "Paris is Burning." (Memorial Union)

MILWAUKEE

Friday, November 20: The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center will be showing "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" beginning at 5pm. (315 W Court Street)

Don't miss these exciting events to honor and celebrate our transgender friends!

Giving Thanks

2009-11-20T12:33:00.001-06:00

In one week, families and friends will gather across our state and across our nation to celebrate each other and give thanks for the good things that we all share.

Here at Fair Wisconsin, we know there is much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, but also much that still needs to be done on the long road toward equality. As our staff prepares to visit family and friends around the country this holiday season, we thought we’d share some of the things we’re most grateful for this year:

- The many state legislators who voted to enact domestic partnerships, an important step on the road to equality that makes sure same-sex couples have the most basic protections they need to be able to take care of each other.
- Governor Jim Doyle, who has been a lifelong leader on LGBT issues and the driving force behind domestic partnerships and granting state employees access to domestic partner health care coverage.
- Our State Supreme Court, who recently rejected a legal challenge to the domestic partnership law.
- The hundreds of volunteers from across our state worked tirelessly to help enact domestic partnerships by educating their legislators about the harms of discrimination.
- The over 1,200 couples who have registered as domestic partners and now enjoy basic protections like inheritance, hospital visitation, and the ability to take leave from work to care for a sick or injured partner. CONGRATULATIONS!
- Our fantastic Fair Wisconsin Action Network Chairs and Students for a Fair Wisconsin Captains, who ensure that Fair Wisconsin truly represents all areas of our state.
- Our Boards of Directors, lead by Glenn Carlson and Robert Starshak, M.D., whose leadership and dedication are truly inspirational.
- Coalition partners from across the state & our nation, including the Wisconsin LGBT social service agencies and our allies in labor and the progressive community.

- But most importantly, we are thankful for YOU!!

Fair Wisconsin and our victories this year would not be possible without committed and passionate people like you, so from all of us, THANK YOU!!

As we look forward to 2010, we know there’s still much work to be done to continue advancing LGBT equality. So, please take a moment today and make a special contribution to Fair Wisconsin to ensure we’re able to add more amazing achievements to our list of things to be thankful for next year!

https://secure.ga4.org/01/FWdonate

Happy Thanksgiving!

Katie, Christine, Tim, Mary, Chris, Carolyn, and Brad
The Staff of Fair Wisconsin

Fair Wisconsin in Washington, DC November 17!

2009-11-13T14:57:00.005-06:00

Please Join Fair Wisconsin and special guests Senator Russ Feingold and Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin and Gwen Moore to celebrate an important LGBT victory in Wisconsin
and look to the future of equality in the Midwest!

Tuesday, November 17
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Home of John Weinfurter
209 C Street NE
Washington, DC
$100 Suggested Contribution
Sponsorship levels are $250, $500 and $1,000

As Wisconsin’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender education and advocacy organization, Fair Wisconsin recently helped enact important domestic partnership protections for same-sex couples, making us the first state with an existing constitutional amendment banning both marriage equality and civil unions to enact domestic partnerships, and the first state in the Midwest to legislatively enact protections for same-sex couples.

Please join us as we continue building a FAIR WISCONSIN!

Please select a link below to contribute or to RSVP!

Fair Wisconsin, Inc.

https://secure.ga4.org/01/dcfw
Non-tax-deductible gift for influencing public policy debates, mobilizing citizen activists, and working toward securing basic LGBT protections through lobbying and the legislature.

Fair Wisconsin Education Fund

https://secure.ga4.org/01/dcfwef
Tax-deductible gift for educating the Wisconsin public about the consequences of anti-LGBT prejudice and the need for fairness for all citizens

Fair Wisconsin PAC

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/19357
Non-tax-deductible gift to support our political endorsements through Fair Wisconsin's State Political Action Committee.

AMA Says Gay Marriage Bans Contribute to Health Disparities

2009-11-12T13:38:00.004-06:00

A press release from our friends at the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA). Contact: James Beaudreau, 415-269-3607, jbeaudreau@glma.org.

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) today praised the American Medical Association's (AMA's) adoption of policy declaring that gay marriage bans contribute to health disparities for gay couples and their children.

"We hope the newly adopted policy will inform future debates about expanding the right to marriage to gay and lesbian couples," said GLMA Education and Policy Director James Beaudreau. "The science on this issue is clear: the health and well-being of gay couples and their families is directly affected by the right to marry, and denial of that right has many serious health related consequences."

As part of the newly adopted policy, the AMA "supports measures providing same-sex households with the same rights and privileges to health care, health insurance, and survivor benefits, as afforded opposite-sex households."

A 2008 report published by GLMA, Same Sex Marriage and Health, documented evidence about the effects of same-sex marriage bans on the LGBT community. The report noted that:

Access to health insurance through a spouse is an important component of obtaining quality health care;

Research indicates that being married can contribute to overall health and longevity;

Hospital visitation and decision making rights conferred by marriage are important to the quality of care; and

Children of LGBT parents benefit when their families are respected and accorded legal protections.

"As members of the medical community, we must bring our knowledge and understanding to the conversation about marriage equality and its positive effects upon health and wellness," said GLMA President Rebecca Allison, MD. "We know that denying lesbians and gay men the opportunity to marry denies them multiple benefits of marriage that support relationships and promote health. As an act of discrimination, it compounds stigma against LGBT people in our society that has been linked to psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression."

The AMA also adopted policies requesting a repeal of the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" law. The AMA said "don't ask, don't tell" creates an ethical dilemma for LGBT service members and the health care providers who treat them by putting service members in the position of having to choose between forgoing appropriate medical care by lying to their physicians, or risking discharge, as well as health care providers in the position of having to choose between documenting the care they are providing incompletely or inaccurately or risking the service member's discharge.

GLMA's 2008 report, Same Sex Marriage and Health, is available at www.glma.org/MarriageEquality.

GLMA is the world's largest association of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health care professionals. Since 1981, GLMA has been working to ensure equality in health care for LGBT individuals and health care professionals through advocacy, education, research and referrals. Please visit our website at www.glma.org.

Fair Wisconsin Celebrates in NE Wisconsin!

2009-11-11T13:14:00.006-06:00

Last night, special guest former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager joined Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger for an event in De Pere.

Hosted by Fair Wisconsin board members Nancy Nusbaum, Aaron Sherer, Mike Fitzpatrick, and Peter Smaby, supporters gathered to enjoy some food and beverages and support Fair WIsconsin's ambitious agenda for 2010!

Thanks to all who made this event a great success. Want to host a Fair Wisconsin get-together in your area? Email Christopher Schmidt at

christopher.schmidt@fairwisconsin.com!

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rejects Case Seeking to Strip Away Domestic Partnership Protections

2009-11-04T14:12:00.002-06:00

Decision Ensures Domestic Partnership Protections for Over 15,000 Wisconsin Same-Sex Couples  

(Madison, Wisconsin November 4, 2009) —Today, Lambda Legal and Fair Wisconsin applaud the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to reject a lawsuit brought by Wisconsin Family Action, an antigay group attempting to strip away newly enacted domestic partnership protections for same-sex couples and their families.

“We are pleased that the Court has rejected this challenge to an important law that was validly enacted to protect Wisconsin families,” said Christopher Clark, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Midwest Regional Office based in Chicago. “Because of today’s ruling, Wisconsin’s same-sex couples and their families who depend on domestic partnership protections can take care of each other in times of illness and crisis. Even with the discriminatory amendment excluding same-sex couples from marriage, the Wisconsin Constitution does not prevent enactment of laws that offer basic decency and security for couples.”

Fair Wisconsin, the statewide LGBT advocacy group, along with national and regional allies, recently helped enact these important domestic partnership protections for same-sex couples. Fair Wisconsin, vigorous opponents of the 2006 amendment banning marriage equality and civil unions, is defending the new domestic partnership law. Lambda Legal filed to intervene in the lawsuit on behalf of Fair Wisconsin and its members to protect the few but fundamental protections granted to same-sex couples through the domestic partnership law. After reviewing the case, Wisconsin Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit.

“We are elated with this decision from the State Supreme Court,” says Executive Director Katie Belanger. “Over 15,000 same-sex couples in our state need the basic protections domestic partnerships provide.”

McConkey Oral Arguments

2009-11-04T13:36:00.003-06:00

The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the McConkey v. Van Hollen court case yesterday. This is the case that challenges the validity of the 2006 constitutional amendment banning marriage equality. McConkey asserts that by including two separate subjects in the ban (marriage and anything "identical or substantially similar") the structure of the amendment violates our state's single subject requirements for constitutional amendments and should therefore be struck down.

You can watch the full Supreme Court session online here.

The court is expected to make a decision in the case by summer.

Matthew Shepard Act Signed into Law!

2009-10-29T14:28:00.003-05:00

Yesterday marked the historic passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This groundbreaking piece of legislation that has been the work of so many, including our own Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. An excerpt of President Obama's remarks at the bill signing is below. The full speech can be found here.

"...You know, as a nation we've come far on the journey towards a more perfect union. And today, we've taken another step forward. This afternoon, I signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. (Applause.)

This is the culmination of a struggle that has lasted more than a decade. Time and again, we faced opposition. Time and again, the measure was defeated or delayed. Time and again we've been reminded of the difficulty of building a nation in which we're all free to live and love as we see fit. But the cause endured and the struggle continued, waged by the family of Matthew Shepard, by the family of James Byrd, by folks who held vigils and led marches, by those who rallied and organized and refused to give up, by the late Senator Ted Kennedy who fought so hard for this legislation -- (applause) -- and all who toiled for years to reach this day.

You understood that we must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break bones, but to break spirits -- not only to inflict harm, but to instill fear. You understand that the rights afforded every citizen under our Constitution mean nothing if we do not protect those rights -- both from unjust laws and violent acts. And you understand how necessary this law continues to be.

In the most recent year for which we have data, the FBI reported roughly 7,600 hate crimes in this country. Over the past 10 years, there were more than 12,000 reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation alone. And we will never know how many incidents were never reported at all.

And that's why, through this law, we will strengthen the protections against crimes based on the color of your skin, the faith in your heart, or the place of your birth. We will finally add federal protections against crimes based on gender, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. (Applause.) And prosecutors will have new tools to work with states in order to prosecute to the fullest those who would perpetrate such crimes. Because no one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are or because they live with a disability.

At root, this isn't just about our laws; this is about who we are as a people. This is about whether we value one another
-- whether we embrace our differences, rather than allowing them to become a source of animus. It's hard for any of us to imagine the mind-set of someone who would kidnap a young man and beat him to within an inch of his life, tie him to a fence, and leave him for dead. It's hard for any of us to imagine the twisted mentality of those who'd offer a neighbor a ride home, attack him, chain him to the back of a truck, and drag him for miles until he finally died.

But we sense where such cruelty begins: the moment we fail to see in another our common humanity -- the very moment when we fail to recognize in a person the same fears and hopes, the same passions and imperfections, the same dreams that we all share.

We have for centuries strived to live up to our founding ideal, of a nation where all are free and equal and able to pursue their own version of happiness. Through conflict and tumult, through the morass of hatred and prejudice, through periods of division and discord we have endured and grown stronger and fairer and freer. And at every turn, we've made progress not only by changing laws but by changing hearts, by our willingness to walk in another's shoes, by our capacity to love and accept even in the face of rage and bigotry.

In April of 1968, just one week after the assassination of Martin Luther King, as our nation mourned in grief and shuddered in anger, President Lyndon Johnson signed landmark civil rights legislation. This was the first time we enshrined into law federal protections against crimes motivated by religious or racial hatred -- the law on which we build today.

As he signed his name, at a difficult moment for our country, President Johnson said that through this law "the bells of freedom ring out a little louder." That is the promise of America. Over the sounds of hatred and chaos, over the din of grief and anger, we can still hear those ideals -- even when they are faint, even when some would try to drown them out. At our best we seek to make sure those ideals can be heard and felt by Americans everywhere. And that work did not end in 1968. It certainly does not end today. But because of the efforts of the folks in this room -- particularly those family members who are standing behind me -- we can be proud that that bell rings even louder now and each day grows louder still."

Inaugural Global Equality Leadership Award Honors Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin

2009-10-23T15:04:00.004-05:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 21, 2009 - The Council for Global Equality joined Fair Wisconsin and Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights in awarding Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin the first-ever Global Equality Leadership Award. The Council's first award is being presented jointly by all three organizations on October 20, 2009 in recognition of the Congresswoman's work to promote human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities at the local, national and international levels.

Mark Bromley, the Council's Chair, noted that "through this award, we seek to recognize the human rights contributions of public officials who are standing with us to promote a strong U.S. foreign policy that is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity."

Katie Belanger, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin, emphasized that "Congresswoman Baldwin's leadership has inspired us in Wisconsin. We are proud to have her represent the Badger State in Congress. Her vision for tolerance, dignity, and her support for international human rights has truly advanced our shared vision of tolerance and dignity, both for the citizens of Wisconsin and for the larger world."

Sid Mohn, President of Heartland Alliance, a Midwest-based human rights organization, noted that "Congresswoman Baldwin's decision to create an LGBT Equality Caucus in Congress has provided an essential venue to help educate Congressional staff in other offices about the human rights abuses that continue to deny basic rights and freedoms to so many LGBT individuals abroad."

In accepting the award, the Congresswoman noted that "in this year's annual human rights report, the State Department once again identified serious human rights concerns impacting LGBT people worldwide. With your help, and with the support of the LGBT Equality Caucus, we are beginning to ensure that the State Department has the tools, the personnel and the funding it needs to respond to this global human rights crisis. And we are accomplishing this while still fighting to secure full rights for LGBT Americans here at home."

The three organizations presenting the award share a commitment to basic rights for all LGBT individuals. The Council is a new coalition of fourteen leading advocacy organizations that are working together to promote human rights for LGBT communities in the United States and abroad. Fair Wisconsin fights for LGBT equality in Baldwin's home state of Wisconsin. And Heartland Alliance is a human rights service provider that offers direct service to vulnerable LGBT populations within the U.S. and in more than 12 countries of danger around the world.

Photos of the award presentation may be downloaded from the Council's website at www.globalequality.org.