Fair Wisconsin Applauds Governor Doyle for Protecting Committed Couples

[PeaceNikki]

http://fairwisconsin.blogspot.com/2009/02/fair-wisconsin-applauds-governor-doyle.html

Fair Wisconsin applauds Gov. Jim Doyle for including limited domestic partnership protections for the state’s same-sex couples in his biennial budget proposal. The proposed domestic partnerships will grant basic protections to same-sex couples in caring, committed relationships, including hospital visitation and the ability to take Family Medical Leave to care for a sick partner.

“This is an important step toward ensuring that someone in a committed relationship is able to care for his or her partner,” said Glenn Carlson, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin. “No one should ever have to worry about being blocked at their partner’s hospital room door, or have to make the heartbreaking decision to quit their job in order to care for a seriously ill partner. This isn’t about being gay or straight—it’s about being decent.”

“We commend Gov. Doyle for his leadership on this issue,” Carlson continued. “We look forward to working with legislators to make sure that this fair-minded budget is passed quickly.”

Fair Wisconsin is joined in thanking Governor Doyle by many LGBT advocacy and social service organizations throughout the state, including the Milwaukee LGBT Center, OutReach (Madison), LGBT Resource Center for the Seven Rivers Region (LaCrosse), LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin (Kenosha), Center Advocates (Milwaukee), Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools (Madison), SAGE/Milwaukee, Diverse and Resilient (Milwaukee), and Cream City Foundation's Gay Neighbor Project (Milwaukee).

Doyle faces critics who question whether the plan conflicts with a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. One conservative group promised a lawsuit if it is approved.

I know it's not even close to being enough, but kudos to our governor for trying. :thumbsup:

[Deja Q]

1. Awesome news!

Anything to keep help committed couples together; maybe it'll encourage more people to become and stay committed. :thumbsup:

[PeaceNikki]

2. ?

I couldn't care less how many people it encourages to become and stay committed.

This isn't about strengthening relationships, it's about civil rights.

[Zuiderelle]

3. Huh?

:shrug:

Instead of it helping to "encourage more people to become and stay committed" :wtf: it will help to move Wisconsin a step closer to EQUALITY for GAY people.

[Zuiderelle]

4. That is GREAT news!

Now we need similar legislation at the federal level. Here in Michigan, we have NO protections at all.

Good for Doyle! :patriot:

[bluedawg12]

5. It's a step in the ight direction. Of course the hate-the-gays

groups want to keep human rights from applying to all humans. :grr:

[eyesroll]

6. Enter Juliane Appling in 3...2...1...

She was the one working for "Wisconsin Family Alliance" or some such to get the Hate Amendment passed, who swore up and down she wouldn't use the amendment to go after things like hospital visitation or domestic partner benefits and then, after it passed, promptly started going after things like hospital visitation or domestic partner benefits.

[PeaceNikki]

7. Oh, she's on it...

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090219/GPG0101/90219053/1978/GPG0206

Doyle’s plan would not withstand a legal challenge because of that clause, said Julaine Appling, president of the conservative Wisconsin Family Action. She noted that unmarried straight couples would not qualify for the partnerships.

“This is creating a marriage-like relationship,” she said. “If they are going to proceed with this, this is going to be settled in court.”