WISCONSIN DOMA INTRODUCED: From the Wisconsin State Journal

Republican lawmakers are again seeking to prevent gay and lesbian marriages from becoming legal in Wisconsin, pushing for an amendment to the state constitution to recognize only unions between one man and one woman.

The move comes three months after Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed legislation that would have done the same thing. By seeking to make the provision part of the constitution, legislators can go around the governor if the measure is approved in two successive sessions of the Legislature and in a statewide referendum.

If approved, the amendment could go to voters as early as spring 2005.

A constitutional amendment also carries more weight than state law, which already limits marriage to "a husband and wife."

Supporters say the change is needed to prevent "activist judges" from ruling that the constitution's guarantee of equal rights for all trumps state law and gives gays and lesbians the right to marry. The Massachusetts high court made such a finding late last year.

"With just one or two Doyle appointments to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Massachusetts decision will be the Wisconsin decision within just a few years," said state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, one of
the amendment's authors.

more
posted by Eve at 9:45 PM | link

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home