Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Gay marriage already banned; this referendum is not needed
Wisconsin voters will be asked Nov. 7 to approve a constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions, a measure that could affect people’s benefits and rights.
Vote no.
There are many reasons for a no vote on this referendum. For starters, the Wisconsin Statutes already stipulate that marriage is between a “husband” and “wife.”
Changing the state Constitution is not necessary. In any event, such things belong in the statutes, not in the Constitution.
Another reason to oppose this referendum is the second part of it, which would ban any relationship “substantially similar” to marriage.
This would preclude the possibility of a compromise on the gay marriage issue
that would continue the gay marriage ban but allow civil unions. Gay couples living together — or any couple — would see important rights threatened.
There are gay couples with adopted children. Passage of this amendment could affect custody and other rights, including health insurance. There also is the matter of visitation of the other member of the couple in the event of illness.
As laws now stand, gay couples in committed relationships sometimes have difficulty visiting one another in the hospital if their families disapprove of their relationship. If a couple is in a committed relationship, why does it make sense to interfere with hospital visitation, custody of children, health insurance or retirement or other benefits? The second sentence in the amendment could affect heterosexual as well as gay couples.
The issue really is not about gay marriage. That is already banned by Wisconsin statutes. The real danger in this amendment is what would happen to any unmarried couples because of the second sentence, banning civil unions and adversely affecting relationships “similar” to marriage.
The amendment is unnecessary. Gay marriage already is banned in this state.
Vote no on Nov. 7.
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