MADISON, WI – On August 26th, the Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the ACLU’s landmark case challenging Wisconsin’s harmful marriage ban.

Accordingly, on August 25th, the named plaintiff couples in the case will travel to Chicago in their historic quest to win marriage equality for all Wisconsinites.  After boarding the bus on Monday the 25th, plaintiffs will stop for three events planned in their honor by Wisconsin Unites for Marriage, where Wisconsinites can cheer them on and thank them for their bravery.

 

WHEN: August 25th, various times
WHAT: Send-off events for the ACLU plaintiffs challenging our state’s ban on the freedom to marry
 

Madison: OutReach LGBT Center, 600 Williamson Street, Madison, WI

10:00 – Program Begins

Speakers Include: Steve Starkey, Outreach; James and Connie Engmann; 

Johannes Wallmann and Keith Borden, Plaintiff Couple; Chris Ahmuty, Executive Director of the ACLU; Sarah DeRubis; Rosie Rodriguez; Kim Simes, Midwest Regional Manager for Family Equality Council; Lisa Koenecke

10:45 Bus leaves Madison

 

Milwaukee: LGBT Community Center, 1110 N Market St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

12:30 – Program Begins

Speakers Include: Karen Gotzler, LGBT Community Center; Paul Williams, LGBT Community Center; Rev. Michelle Y. Townsend de López, Cross Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Roy Badger and Garth Wangemann, Plaintiff Couple; Chris Ahmuty, Executive Director of the ACLU; County Executive Chris Abele; US Attorney James Santelle; Kristy Jackson

1:15pm Bus leaves Milwaukee

 

Racine: LGBT Community Center, 1456 Junction Avenue, Racine, WI 53403

2:00 – Program Begins

Speakers Include: Vice President Steve Kovacik, LGBT Community Center; Bill Hurtubise and Dean Palmer, Plaintiff Couple; Chris Ahmuty, Executive Director of the ACLU; Carol Schumacher and Virginia Wolf, Plaintiff Couple

2:45pm Bus leaves Racine

 

 

Chicago Rally: Federal Plaza in Chicago, 219 South Dearborn St. (at Adams Street)

5:30pm – Participants arrive; media set up

6:00pm – Rally begins

Speakers Include: Illinois State Rep. Greg Harris; Rev. Michelle Y. Townsend de López, Cross Lutheran Church, Milwaukee; Charvonne Kemp and Marie Carlson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Plaintiff Couple; Bill Hurtubise and Dean Palmer, Racine, Wisconsin Plaintiff Couple; Indiana Plaintiffs (TBA)

More detailed agendas are available upon request.

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Wisconsin Unites for Marriage is a statewide public education campaign with one simple goal: Win the freedom to marry for all loving couples in our state.

www.wisconsinunites.org