Mar 3rd, 2006
Wisconsin gears up to defeat amendment on November’s ballot
Many states are currently facing or have already faced voting on an amendment that would limit marriage to be between a man and a woman. In certain states that have “successfully” passed adding a constitutional amendment, the language is so broad it has the power to remove all rights and responsibilities associated with marriage. This means in addition to being denied social security benefits or inheriting spouse pensions, same-sex couples are also vulnerable to losing any and all benefits that recognize them in any way as a couple, from domestic partnership health coverage to hospital visitations.
Yesterday Wisconsin gained the undistinguished dishonor of being added to the list of states in which citizens will vote on adding a marriage-defining amendment to the state constitution.
Yes, you read that right: Wisconsin. This is the state that boasts being the FIRST state to have an workplace anti-discrimination law passed in 1982.
Fair-minded Wisconsinites worked hard to try to keep the vote off the ballot in the first place. Now they are determined to be organized, educate citizens and prevent discrimination from being written into their constitution.
As part or that effort, there is a new website for a stateside campaign, FairWisconsin.
Take a look and then pass the site along to your loved ones in Wisconsin. Make sure they understand that voting no is the only choice there is to keep discrimination out of the constitution.
This site is a useful educational tool for individuals outside of the state as well, explaining the dangerous impact of the language in the amendment, and offering talking points and resources when talking to friends and family about proposed amendments throughout the U.S.