Janie Boschma

November 7 will mark the one-year anniversary of Wisconsin passing an amendment to ban civil unions and gay marriage.

With the excitement of the upcoming presidential elections, we must not forget that while politicians will come and go, the discrimination written into our state’s constitution will stay. There are still gay families living in Wisconsin, and we need to do our part to protect them.

That is why I am excited to announce the formation of a new student organization on campus – Students for a Fair Wisconsin. SFW, led by myself and Greg Wysocky, is dedicated to advancing the social acceptance and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. Through education, community events, and political means, SFW aims to set a precedence of equality throughout the Chippewa Valley.

SFW is a branch of Fair Wisconsin, a Madison based grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the civil rights of LGBT people throughout Wisconsin. You may remember Fair Wisconsin as the main group fighting to defeat last year’s amendment. Even after the discouraging loss, Fair Wisconsin pledged not to give up the fight. Currently, SFW and Fair Wisconsin are working together on many political issues, one of them being a petition to create a domestic partnership registry.

A domestic partnership is a form of relationship recognition other than marriage. A domestic partnership registry would allow same-sex couples to register as domestic partners, and in turn, have certain state-based rights afforded to them. Unlike the banned civil unions, which would afford people rights that are substantially similar to marriage, a domestic partnership registry would only grant couples hospital visitation rights, funeral rights and burial rights. Offering these benefits is about making sure LGBT couples in Wisconsin are treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

Additionally, Fair Wisconsin and SFW are working to have the phrase “gender identity and expression” added to Wisconsin’s non-discrimination law. Currently, the law offers no protection for people who fall victim to discrimination simply because they wish to identify or express themselves in a non-conforming manner. Thirteen states have already passed a similar law, including Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois, but unlike our neighbors, Wisconsin has yet to jump on the progressive bandwagon.

At the local level, SFW has begun organizing and mobilizing like-minded students in crusading for equality. They have already identified key causes to direct their efforts to, including a joint-operation to expel religious radicals who spew hate speech from campus. SFW is always brainstorming new events, and within the coming months hopes to make a big impact on campus and in the community.

Ironically, Students for a Fair Wisconsin admits it is unfortunate they even have to exist. Sadly though, oppression of minorities seems to be a common theme in American history. The past is littered with tales of unjust persecution based upon race, religion, gender, creed and now, sexual orientation. In a sad repetition of history, society’s fear is being fueled by intolerance, ignorance, hatred and bigotry. SFW feels that is absolutely unacceptable and they are looking for students who want change.

Gandhi said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Get involved, join Students for a Fair Wisconsin, and be part of the change.

If you would like more information on SFW or LGBT-rights legislation, you are invited to attend this week’s meeting tonight at 6 p.m. in the Arrowhead Room of Davies. You can also send an e-mail to [email protected].

Schafer is a junior biology major and guest columnist for The Spectator