Next Meeting - March 15, 2009Establishing a legal relationship between children and both their parentsAttorneys Carol Gapen and Lynn Bodi from The Law Center for Children & Families will present the pros and cons of the various options available, as well as other factors to consider in protecting same sex families. |
Governor Doyle's budget contains provisions for state employees' domestic partners (both same and opposite sex couples) to get some benefits that only married couples get now. In addition, it provides for a domestic partner registry-- same sex couples only-- that will give some basic rights. There will be hearings on the budget from March 23-April 3. Cities are Sparta, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Racine, Appleton and Cambridge. Please see the Fair Wisconsin web site: www.fairwisconsin.org for more information. Consider testifying at one of the hearings. Our national office will be working with Fair Wisconsin on this. Write to Kay, kahegges@yahoo.com , for more information.
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The market starts again in a few weeks. Take a look at your Saturday morning calendar and mark off some days to sit at our market table. Write to Kay, kahegges@yahoo.com for more information or to sign up.
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…we are seeing signs of change throughout the country.
In Indiana this week, the state Senate Republican Caucus voted not to consider a resolution that would have amended the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
A few weeks ago, Wyoming's House of Representatives voted against a similar proposed amendment to its constitution.
New England continues to be a beacon for marriage equality and there's considerable movement on that front in Vermont and Maine.
In New York, HRC is working hard with local allies, members and supporters on behalf of marriage equality legislation.
A recent poll in New Jersey shows voter support for marriage equality is growing.
Hawaii's House of Representatives recently approved legislation that would permit gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions.
In New Mexico, a State Senate committee advanced the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act, which allows gay, lesbian and straight couples to enter into domestic partnerships.
And in Washington State, there's an effort to improve the existing relationship recognition law.
From the San Francisco Chronicle, at the hearing to decide whether to uphold Prop. 8:
"There have been initiatives that have taken away rights from minorities by majority vote" and have been upheld by the courts, said Chief Justice Ronald George. "Isn't that the system we have to live with?"
George wrote the majority opinion in the court's 4-3 ruling in May striking down California's ban on same-sex marriages - which voters, in turn, reversed in November by approving Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being only between a man and a woman.
Heard at the hearing:
"A guarantee of equality that is subject to exceptions by the majority is no guarantee at all."
- Therese Stewart, San Francisco chief deputy city attorney, arguing that Prop. 8 violates equal-rights principles in the state Constitution
"Is it for this court to limit the people's power to amend the Constitution?"
- Chief Justice Ronald George
"Proposition 8 does not erode any of the bundle of rights that this state has very generously provided" to same-sex couples.
- Kenneth Starr, lawyer for Protect Marriage, the sponsor of Prop. 8
"If you're in the marriage business, do it equally. If you're not going to do it equally, then get out of the marriage business."
- Michael Maroko, a lawyer for same-sex couples, replying to a question about whether the court should reserve the name "marriage" for religious ceremonies and convert existing civil marriages to civil unions.
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"Earlier today, President Bush said gay marriage is immoral and that heterosexual marriage must be defended, that's what he said. ... You can tell Bush is serious because he said the new Axis of Evil is Cher, Bette Middler and Clay Aiken." —Conan O'Brien
"The Senate has rejected the gay marriage ban. When you think about it, do you really want Congress defining marriage? That's like asking Charlie Sheen to define monogamy." --Jay Leno
[Clip of Bush: "America is a free society, which limits the role of government in the lives of our citizens. In this country, people are free to choose how they live their lives."]
Jon Stewart: "And that's why I want to ban gay people from getting married."
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Planning a vacation? Fly on American Airlines and support the preferred airline of PFLAG National. PFLAG national staff gets free miles (and you do NOT lose any bonus miles).
When booking on www.AA.com, follow these instructions:
Step One - Choose your travel dates and your best flight option.
Step Two - Login. (If you have an AAdvantage Number and a password, key it in. If not, click "continue" without logging in.)
Step Three - Confirm your itinerary and complete passenger details.
LAST STEP - Important! - Key in PFLAG's Business ExtrAA Account Number (527590).
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The famous Madison Farmers' Market has started and runs every Saturday morning until early November. We staff a table at the South Hamilton corner of the capital square in 2 shifts: 8-10 and 10-12. Jo Elder brings and takes the table and all materials, so volunteers just need to sit there, look pretty, enjoy the weather and people watching, eat pastry, and give out our booklets and answer questions from the walkers. Kay does all the scheduling, so for more information or to sign up: 221-1956 or kahegges@yahoo.com.
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