Trend Toward the Freedom to Marry is Undeniable
Posted on May 17, 2009 at 08:38 pm
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 17, 2009
Bill McConkey - University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh lecturer, father of a gay daughter and firm believer that the 2006 constitutional amendment banning marriages and unions for gays in Wisconsin was not legally valid - is about to get his day before the Supreme Court. Among those who should hope he prevails: Republicans who pushed the amendment and are, as McConkey put it when I talked to him, "entirely on the wrong side of the march of time." [link]
May 17, 2009
Bill McConkey - University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh lecturer, father of a gay daughter and firm believer that the 2006 constitutional amendment banning marriages and unions for gays in Wisconsin was not legally valid - is about to get his day before the Supreme Court. Among those who should hope he prevails: Republicans who pushed the amendment and are, as McConkey put it when I talked to him, "entirely on the wrong side of the march of time." [link]
Wis. High Court to Review 2006 Marriage Ban
Posted on May 15, 2009 at 01:34 pm
Associated Press
May 14, 2009
The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed Thursday to review whether the state's 2006 ban on marriage for gay couples was properly put to voters. Oral arguments are not yet scheduled but are expected this fall and a decision could come before the end of the year. [Link]
May 14, 2009
The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed Thursday to review whether the state's 2006 ban on marriage for gay couples was properly put to voters. Oral arguments are not yet scheduled but are expected this fall and a decision could come before the end of the year. [Link]
Constitutionality of Doyle’s domestic partner registry in question
Posted on Apr 13, 2009 at 03:04 pm
Wisconsin State Journal
April 12, 2009
Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to create a statewide domestic partner registry for same-sex couples would be unique in the nation if it becomes law and survives an expected legal challenge, experts and advocates said. That's because no state that both bans gay couples' marriages and prohibits other legal recognition of same-sex relationships -- as Wisconsin does -- allows domestic partnerships or civil unions. [Link]
April 12, 2009
Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to create a statewide domestic partner registry for same-sex couples would be unique in the nation if it becomes law and survives an expected legal challenge, experts and advocates said. That's because no state that both bans gay couples' marriages and prohibits other legal recognition of same-sex relationships -- as Wisconsin does -- allows domestic partnerships or civil unions. [Link]
Wisconsin Governor Proposes Same-Sex Partnerships
Posted on Feb 20, 2009 at 11:21 am
La Crosse Tribune
February 20, 2009
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has proposed a plan to allow the state's gay couples to form domestic partnerships and receive many of the legal protections that straight couples enjoy. Opponents say the proposal conflicts with the state's anti-gay marriage amendment and plan to sue if it passes. [Link]
Judge upholds WI anti-marriage constitutional amendment
Posted on Jun 02, 2008 at 12:05 pm
The Capital Times
May 30, 2008
A Wisconsin judge rejected the argument by plaintiff William McConkey that the anti-marriage amendment violated a constitutional prohibition against a referendum posing more than one question to voters. [Link]
May 30, 2008
A Wisconsin judge rejected the argument by plaintiff William McConkey that the anti-marriage amendment violated a constitutional prohibition against a referendum posing more than one question to voters. [Link]
Wisconsin School Employee Files Grievance Over Marriage Leave
Posted on Mar 01, 2008 at 02:06 pm
Advocate
March 1, 2008
An elementary school secretary in Sheboygan, WI, filed a grievance with the school district, arguing its refusal to give her two days' paid leave after her marriage to another woman is discrimination, The Sheboygan Press reported Friday. [Link]
March 1, 2008
An elementary school secretary in Sheboygan, WI, filed a grievance with the school district, arguing its refusal to give her two days' paid leave after her marriage to another woman is discrimination, The Sheboygan Press reported Friday. [Link]
‘How can love ever be wrong?’: Partners of 15 years to wed in Canada next month
Posted on Feb 13, 2008 at 02:08 pm
Manitowoc Herald Times
February 13, 2008
When Judy Stock is offered the chance to kiss her bride in a few weeks, she's going for it. Under the Canadian sky she'll stand, hand-in-hand with Leigh Robert, ready to validate the union the two formed 15 years ago. But why Canada? The answer is simple: It's legal. Unable to wed lawfully in Wisconsin, the women plan to hold an additional ceremony in April at a Sheboygan County church. But they're not willing to let the state hold them back from a white wedding. [link]
February 13, 2008
When Judy Stock is offered the chance to kiss her bride in a few weeks, she's going for it. Under the Canadian sky she'll stand, hand-in-hand with Leigh Robert, ready to validate the union the two formed 15 years ago. But why Canada? The answer is simple: It's legal. Unable to wed lawfully in Wisconsin, the women plan to hold an additional ceremony in April at a Sheboygan County church. But they're not willing to let the state hold them back from a white wedding. [link]
Non-gay ally sues over anti-gay marriage amendment in WI
Posted on Sep 26, 2007 at 02:11 pm
WMTV15
September 26, 2007
The first lawsuit attacking the anti-gay marriage ban in Wisconsin was mostly dismissed by a Dane County judge Wednesday. The judge says the man cannot sue because he is not gay and has not been harmed by the amendment. "I think every citizen in the state has standing on this issue, including me," William McConkey said. "I was asked would I have done this if I didn't get have a gay daughter. Probably not. I'd still be outraged, but I wouldn't have put myself through this. But I'm fighting for my kid." [link]
September 26, 2007
The first lawsuit attacking the anti-gay marriage ban in Wisconsin was mostly dismissed by a Dane County judge Wednesday. The judge says the man cannot sue because he is not gay and has not been harmed by the amendment. "I think every citizen in the state has standing on this issue, including me," William McConkey said. "I was asked would I have done this if I didn't get have a gay daughter. Probably not. I'd still be outraged, but I wouldn't have put myself through this. But I'm fighting for my kid." [link]
OPINION: Believing in the importance and the sanctity of marriage
Posted on Aug 31, 2007 at 02:14 pm
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
August 31, 2007
I believe in the sanctity of marriage; in fact, it's a tradition I aspire to emulate. For me, marriage is more than just a word; it's the embodiment of an idea to which I am deeply loyal. Marriage sanctifies the love and commitment that form the basis of a strong, morally upright family. "Civil union," by contrast, is a sterile and relatively meaningless term. Those who support civil unions and oppose gay marriage, including nearly all of the Democratic presidential candidates, fail to understand that nobody views marriage in terms of government benefits. [link]
August 31, 2007
I believe in the sanctity of marriage; in fact, it's a tradition I aspire to emulate. For me, marriage is more than just a word; it's the embodiment of an idea to which I am deeply loyal. Marriage sanctifies the love and commitment that form the basis of a strong, morally upright family. "Civil union," by contrast, is a sterile and relatively meaningless term. Those who support civil unions and oppose gay marriage, including nearly all of the Democratic presidential candidates, fail to understand that nobody views marriage in terms of government benefits. [link]
DP benefits uncertain in WI budget vote
Posted on Jun 28, 2007 at 02:17 pm
The Bay Area Reporter
June 28, 2007
An 8-8 vote on whether to pay for domestic partnership benefits for state employees set the stage in the Wisconsin legislature for a showdown divided strictly along party lines, with Democratic Governor Jim Doyle looking like the sole chance for the measure to survive the 2007-2008 budget negotiations.[link]
June 28, 2007
An 8-8 vote on whether to pay for domestic partnership benefits for state employees set the stage in the Wisconsin legislature for a showdown divided strictly along party lines, with Democratic Governor Jim Doyle looking like the sole chance for the measure to survive the 2007-2008 budget negotiations.[link]