Civil Unions Ban Hurts Health of Wisconsin Families
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin opposes Republican-led intrusions on right to privacy
Madison, WI – Today, citizens filled the State Capitol, voicing their opposition to the proposed constitutional ban on civil unions and marriage. Families, clergy members, educators, and others joined NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin in delivering the message that this amendment goes too far and hurts real Wisconsin families.
The proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution does not just ban gay marriage, which is illegal in Wisconsin, but goes much further by eliminating any benefit substantially similar to marriage for all unmarried couples, straight or gay. This includes health insurance, family visitation rights, retirement benefits, and domestic violence intervention, and over a thousand legal protections for families.
Similar bans in other states have resulted in dismissing domestic violence charges against abusers who aren't legally married to their victims, loss of health insurance, and elimination of employment benefits, among other adverse consequences.
Republican assaults on family privacy and individual rights are escalating, says NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin’s executive director, Kelda Helen Roys. “It is troubling that, when thousands of Wisconsin children go without basic health care and family support, some Republican legislators pour their efforts into dismantling existing family protections.”
“Eliminating domestic partnership benefits for all unmarried couples goes defies common sense – just like the restrictions on access to family planning services and other basic health care,” said Roys. “This ban hurts Wisconsin children, Wisconsin families, and Wisconsin businesses – it should be stopped.”
Last year, NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin and Foundation passed resolutions opposing the constitutional ban on civil unions and marriage:
"Whereas the attempt to amend the Wisconsin Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and partnerships is a clear violation of the fundamental American right to privacy, and whereas NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin (Foundation) opposes this attempt to limit the right of individuals to make personal, private decisions without government interference or discrimination, and whereas the U.S. Constitution protects individuals' decisions about marriage, procreation, contraception and family relationships, be it resolved that the Board of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin (Foundation) resolves to stand proudly side by side with our colleagues in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community to oppose this outrageous proposal."
“Wisconsinites want families to have equal legal rights and responsibilities. That’s why sixty percent support civil unions or marriage for gay couples,” said Roys. “This amendment is on the wrong side of history.” # # #
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