Wisconsin holds the honor as the first state to pass a law prohibiting discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation.
Unfortunately, Wisconsin voters shamed this reputation. With the approval of the amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, our state joined the ranks of other electorates with disturbingly similar propensities for constitutionalized discrimination.
Enter state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, who plans to propose legislation that could partially nullify the amendment and bring Wisconsin back to its progressive roots.
Erpenbach's amendment would essentially void the second half of the approved amendment, which reads, ""A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state.""
We encourage Erpenbach's moderate approach toward reversing the ban—the lawmaker said he intends to protect marriage as between a man and a woman, but would extend equal rights to those who enter civil unions or equal partnerships.
Though unfettered marriage rights would be optimal, Wisconsin voters clearly would not accept such a radical proposal—the 59 to 41 percent margin approving the ban indicates a climate of intolerance for anything like ""look-alike marriages"" in the words of state Rep. and ban author Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin.
Realistically, Erpenbach's proposal faces considerable opposition. Republicans still control the state Assembly by at least five votes.
And to overturn the current amendment, Erpenbach's amendment would require passage in two consecutive legislative sessions followed by a successful public referendum.
But if Gundrum, Wisconsin constituents and an atypical cycle of regressive politics could put Wisconsin in this conundrum, it seems hopeful that the tide will eventually turn (left) and sweep Wisconsin back on track.
In crafting the language of the ban, we urge caution and moderation, such that the amendment does not preclude affirmative action.
We applaud Erpenbach for standing boldly against the same-sex marriage ban and seeing that it is wrong for Wisconsin. If nothing else, Erpenbach's amendment could prevent any further exodus of Dane County voters to Canada.
