News & Commentary

On August 5, volunteer attorneys filed an amicus brief from numerous religious organizations, congregations, and individual faith leaders from Indiana and Wisconsin in support of the cases for freedom to marry in those states.  Over eight pages of signers affirmed that “Eliminating discrimination in civil marriage will not impinge upon religious doctrine or practice. All religions would remain free – as they are today with nineteen states and the District of Columbia permitting same-sex couples to marry – to define religious marriage any way they choose.”   “We are extremely proud of our faith leaders for standing up against discrimination against same-sex couples in Wisconsin,” said Katie Belanger, President & CEO of Fair Wisconsin.  “I think the eight committed Wisconsin couples who are asking for the freedom to be married, and all same-sex couples whose are currently denied marriage, sincerely appreciate kind thoughts and prayers for strength as they progress on this journey.” Wisconsin Unites for Marriage is inviting faith communities around the state to pray for the couples bringing this case to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Sunday, August 24th (or Saturday 8/23).  Faith communities who would like to take part are invited to sign up at http://wiunites.org/congregations.  A list of participating congregations will be available on the Wisconsin Unites for Marriage Website in case individuals would like to find a welcoming place to go that weekend. “Our stand on marriage equality is deeply religious. A cornerstone of our faith is the belief that every person has inherent dignity and worth. This belief compelled us to work for the abolition of slavery, for women’s suffrage, and now for marriage equality,” said Rev. Roger Bertschausen, Senior Minister of the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Appleton.  “We believe lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples have every bit as much inherent dignity and worth as straight couples. We believe that partnerships between two people are blessings to the couple, to their family and friends, and to their community—regardless of the couple’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”

You probably know that the ACLU case seeking the freedom to marry, Wolf v. Walker, is scheduled to have oral arguments in Chicago on August 26 at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.  But what does that mean, exactly?  And when can we all start planning weddings? 

The Wisconsin State Supreme Court today issued a ruling in Appling v. Walker, holding that the domestic partnership registry is constitutional.

Madison — Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin are preparing to file a lawsuit to protect more than 500 same-sex marriages that still remain in legal limbo. A representative of th

The ACLU of Wisconsin would like to speak to same-sex couples who were married between June 6-13, 2014 since they are considering legal action against the state on behalf of couples whose marriages have been denied recognition by the state or local governments.  If you were married in that time period and are facing harm because your marriage is being denied recognition, please fill out the survey by July 2nd at midnight.

Written by Wisconsin Gazette Tuesday, 24 June 2014 15:59

June 6, 2014, will go down in Wisconsin history as the day when county clerks first issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the Badger State. It was on June 6 that federal Judge Barbara Crabb declared that Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional in a case brought before her by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of eight Wisconsin lesbian and gay couples. The ban, the judge declared, violated the plaintiffs' fundamental right to marry and their right to equal protection of laws under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Despite Crabb's stay of her subsequent June 13 order and the obstinate resistance of Gov. Scott Walker and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, on June 6 our state joined the r

In 2006, Wisconsin Referendum 1 passed, and became Article XIII, Section 13 of the state constitution.  It banned same-sex marriage, saying “Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state.”

After Judge Crabb issues her decision in Wolf v. Walker, we will be hosting Decision Day rallies TODAY from 4:30 to 6:30pm all across the state where we will celebrate a favorable ruling for the freedom to marry!