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Video Discussion: “Being Gay in the Church”
Produced by a Task Force on Sexual Orientation of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches – the video includes interviews with a pastor, a sister, a mother, a friend and a gay man.
Also, we'll enjoy an 18 minute preview of the new movie, "Brokeback Mountain".
There will be a potluck "party" following the program. Please bring a munchie, snack or desert to share - but, don't worry if you can't, there will be plenty of food.
The Alliance, the LGBT student group on the UW Rock County campus invited PFLAG to send representatives for a panel discussion and question and answer session on the topic of the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban civil unions. Also at the session as panel members were representatives of Christians for Equality, Outreach, and a lesbian couple. Panelists made short statements regarding the effect of the proposed amendment on their lives and the lives of their loved ones, followed by about an hour of questions and answers.
If you missed Tuesday’s hearing at the State Capitol, I wanted you to know what the anti-family forces are saying about you and the ones you love. I am outraged and know you will be too. Here’s some of what I heard: “It’s absurd to say that everybody should be equal.” “Legalizing same-sex marriage will pave the way for bestiality.” “Gay people are already free to marry someone of the opposite sex.” And unfortunately, this hearing was the next step toward placing the ban on civil unions and marriage on the ballot next November. If we are going to win, it will take all of us together fighting against the forces that are seeking to permanently deny basic rights to Wisconsin families. Never before has our constitution been used to take rights away. It cannot happen now. Already, we are traveling the state speaking out against this horrible initiative, identifying key supporters, and raising the money it will take to communicate with each voter in the state of Wisconsin. But we only have 341 days left, and the clock is ticking. To reach victory, we need to act now to make the most of the time we have. Please make a contribution of $35, $60, $100 or more today so we can counter these voices of hate. Donate here.
I thank you in advance for taking a stand for equality.
Sincerely, Chris Ott Executive Director
From an article published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel By STACY FORSTER
Posted: Nov. 29, 2005
About the only time a Capitol committee room was filled with agreement Tuesday was during the minute when hundreds of attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance before a hearing on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman and to ban civil unions in Wisconsin. After that, testimony - sometimes emotional - alternated between equally passionate supporters and opponents of the amendment.
The hearing began in the morning and ended in the evening, after about 675 people registered their position on the amendment. Dozens of them addressed the Senate's Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy and the Assembly's Judiciary Committee, which held a joint hearing on the measure, AJR 67.
The overflow crowd reflected a cross-section of Wisconsin residents. Representatives of many faiths, professions and ages came to speak in support of, or opposition to, the amendment - perhaps one of the most contentious measures lawmakers will consider this session.
The Senate is expected to vote on the amendment next week, while the Assembly plans to consider it in early 2006.
The measure must pass both houses in two consecutive sessions of the Legislature
before going to voters in a statewide referendum. It passed the Assembly and
the Senate for the first time in March 2004.
If passed by the Legislature for a second time, the measure would be on the
ballot for the Nov. 7, 2006, election, in which Democratic incumbents Gov.
Jim Doyle and Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager are up for re-election.
In 2003, Doyle vetoed a "Defense of Marriage" bill that would have defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, prompting the push for a constitutional amendment.
The amendment's wording reads: "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."
The second sentence of the amendment regarding civil unions provided fodder
for opponents, who said it might prevent private companies from providing
benefits such as health insurance to same-sex partners or from allowing them
the same rights as traditional couples in making medical decisions.
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