BY AMY WOOTEN
The day when Wisconsin voters will decide on an amendment banning gay unions is quickly approaching, and Fair Wisconsin, the organization at the forefront of the fight for gay rights, is making great strides.
On Nov. 7, Wisconsin could be the first state in the U.S. to reject a ban on legal protections for gay couples. Voters will decide whether or not to reject a constitutional ban on gay unions that reads, 'Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state.'
For the people at Fair Wisconsin, time has been the key to their success. They have built an unprecedented broad, state-wide coalition over the past two years that continues to grow leading up to election day.
For Josh Freker of Fair Wisconsin, their success thus far doesn't surprise him. 'I think we had hoped because we started this so early, it gave us an advantage,' he said. 'It takes time to have these conversations and really work with, for example, the labor unions, so they understand the impact on their members. What you are seeing now is essentially the fruits of our labor over two years. '
Freker hopes that the work of Fair Wisconsin will provide a template for other states potentially facing a constitutional ban on gay unions.
There is still much work to do. Currently, Fair Wisconsin is airing commercials in the northern central media markets, and needs to continue to mount the resources needed to expand the commercials to other areas and stay on the air. They also need to continue to mount their ground operation, talking to voters face to face.
'We now have the largest grassroots voter mobilization effort in this state this election year,' Freker said, adding that Fair Wisconsin will soon have 10 officers open with 45 staff people to help go door to door. The organization expects to have over 1,000 volunteers canvassing voters each week leading up to the election.
The response that volunteers have gotten when going door to door has been positive, even in smaller towns. 'When people understand that this will have an impact on real people and what that looks like, and when they understand there is more at stake than gay marriage with this amendment, they move in our direction every time,' Freker said.
Freker is confident that Fair Wisconsin will prevail. 'We have steadily made increases in opposition to this. We absolutely believe that we will beat this. We just need to keep doing what we're doing and getting the support necessary to make it happen.'
Illinoisans can help their neighbors to the north. People can donate to help Fair Wisconsin with this pricey effort, or drive across the border for the day to volunteer. See fairwisconsin.com for more information.
Freker stressed the importance of paying attention to Wisconsin's battle. 'If Wisconsin, as a Midwestern swing state, can be the first in the country to reject one of these measures, it's going to help everyone and it's going to help keep these off the ballot in places like Illinois in the future; in Indiana, which has a potential battle in 2008; and in Minnesota,' he said. 'Even in places like California and Massachusetts, that are potentially going to have these on the ballot in 2008. '
