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Take Action: Help us pass ENDA
01/03/2012

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced in 1994 with the goal of protecting workers from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Now, 16 years later, we are closer than ever to passing this historic legislation, but we need your help to get it done.

This week, May 17-21, is the EMERGENCY ENDA National Week of Action. Fair Wisconsin and other pro-fairness groups from across the country are taking action and urging supporters to contact their members of Congress to ask them to support an inclusive ENDA.

To contact your representative, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121, give the operator your zip code and asked to be connected to your Representative. When you are connected, give your name and address so they know you are a constituent. Then, express your support for ENDA, like in this statement:

"Discrimination is a real problem that affects real people and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people need basic job discrimination protections. I support the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and urge you to support fairness and the protection of all American citizens, despite sexual orientation or gender identity. Please vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act"

For more information, check out endanow.com

In an act of bullying and retribution, Sortwell's resolution emerged following a request made for domestic partner health care coverage by David Fowles, a City of Green Bay Department of Public Works employee.

Fair Wisconsin refuses to allow Sortwell to bully brave LGBT people who dare to stand up for basic protections. The work we did to inform and rally our Green Bay supporters resulted in approximately 100 people attending to register their opposition and speak out against Sortwell’s discriminatory measure.

"We are pleased that the City Council saw fit to postpone this unfortunate and ill-advised resolution," commented Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger. “The outpouring of opposition to this measure was overwhelming and we were proud to stand with so many LGBT and allied residents of Green Bay to stop this attempt to strip basic protections from caring and committed same-sex couples.”

By postponing the resolution indefinitely, the City Council took no formal action on the measure and it can be brought forward again. Fair Wisconsin will continue to monitor the situation in Green Bay and is prepared to continue opposing further measures by Sortwell and others like him that bully and discriminate against LGBT people.

Click here to sign the petition to tell NOM to stop these attacks on LGBT individuals and families.

To see pictures of the March for Marriage Equality, click here.

This is just one small snapshot of our life together. Ann works for a large nonprofit organization, and I work for city government. We contribute to our community in meaningful ways. We pay taxes, attend church, are good neighbors and hard-working citizens being treated unfairly, without equal protections under the law.

I believe Fair Wisconsin is responding as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did when he peacefully spoke against injustice. He reminded us then (and it rings true today): "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He wrote this from Birmingham Jail at a time when people believed African Americans did not deserve the same legal protections as white people. We face a similar struggle today. There are those within the National Organization for Marriage who would emulate those who opposed Dr. Martin Luther King by denying the most basic protections to their fellow Americans.

The tide is turning. Ultimately, I am confident love will prevail.

- Kathy Flores, Appleton

Thanks, Kathy, for taking the time to share this powerful story with us. We encourage all of our friends and advocates throughout the Badger State to tell us what equality means to you!

We need you, and other fair-minded Wisconsinites to join us on July 27 as we stand together for marriage equality. For more information about the event, click here.

“Fair Wisconsin is disappointed in but respects the Court’s decision. We will continue working to protect Wisconsin’s 15,000 same-sex couples and build towards a legislative repeal of this discriminatory amendment to our state’s constitution,” says Fair Wisconsin Executive Director, Katie Belanger. “This decision highlights the importance of the domestic partnership protections that Fair Wisconsin helped to enact one year ago. Same-sex couples across our state have been availing themselves of the basic protections that domestic partnerships provide, such as hospital visitation, inheritance, and the ability to take leave from work to care for a sick or injured partner.”

“Domestic partnerships are just one step on the long road to equality,” continued Belanger. “Fair Wisconsin will continue working toward the day when all Wisconsin’s citizens will know true equality.”

California's ban on marriage equality has been especially controversial, attracting attention, donations and support (both for and against the measure) from individuals and groups around the country while making several trips through the state's court system.

If Judge Walker overturns the ban, marriage licenses for same-sex couples could begin being issued right away, although it is likely the case will still continue on in the legal system-- possibly traveling all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court-- before a final decision on the measure is made. Judge Walker is expected to make his ruling sometime this summer.

Click here to read a full transcript of the case's closing arguments.

The new policy also allows individuals to obtain a temporary passport in the appropriate gender if a doctor's statement demonstrates that an applicant is in the process of a gender transition. These new policies and procedures are based on the standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

These changes will help to reduce the extreme danger many transgender Americans face while traveling abroad in countries hostile towards them as well as harassment they may face upon leaving or returning to the U.S. These policies are a major step forward towards the State Department's mission to protect all Americans while traveling, working or living overseas.

To read the full text of the proclamation, click here.

While President Obama acknowledged that the memorandum was an important step towards equality, he also renewed his call for the passage of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, championed by Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. The legislation, currently pending in both Houses of Congress, would extend the full range of benefits currently enjoyed by hetrosexual, married Federal employees to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees as well.

Information for Kenosha, Wisconsin

Kenosha, WI

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Latitude: 42.58222 -- Longitude: -87.845624

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Take Action: Help us pass ENDA
01/03/2012

Information for Kenosha, Wisconsin

Kenosha, WI

Homes - Schools - Census Data - Jobs - Maps

Latitude: 42.58222 -- Longitude: -87.845624

Enter our Photo Sweepstakes and Win $200 for your Kenosha photos!

ASKME a Question About Kenosha, Wisconsin

Census Data for Kenosha, Wisconsin

Cities

Check out what's happening in the NewQuestCity Forums for Wisconsin .

Take Action: Help us pass ENDA 01/03/2012

Take Action: Help us pass ENDA
01/03/2012