Fair Wisconsin

Fair Wisconsin
Predecessor	Equality Wisconsin Center Advocates
Formation	1994
Type	501c4 Nonprofit
Purpose	LGBTQ+ & Transgender Civil Rights & Political Advocacy
Headquarters	Madison, WI
Executive Director	Megin McDonell
Key people	U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin R. Richard Wagner
Affiliations	Fair Wisconsin Education Fund Fair Wisconsin Political Action Committee (PAC)
Website	https://fairwisconsin.com

Last updated March 22, 2024

Fair Wisconsin, previously called Equality Wisconsin is a 501c4 nonprofit civil rights political advocacy organization dedicated to securing equal rights under the law for Wisconsin's LGBTQ+, transgender and non-binary community. The organization focuses on expanding rights for LGBTQ+ and transgender Wisconsinites, most notably working to enshrine same sex marriage protections, HIV/Aids Advocacy and adding gender identity to the states non-discrimination laws. The organization was founded in 1994 as LGBT Center Advocates,^[1] consolidating elements of the Domestic Partnership Task Force, the Human Rights League, and the LGBT Alliance for Equality. The organization claims several accomplishments in areas of domestic partner recognition, non-discrimination, and securing greater resources for LGBTQ+ social services.^[2]

Structure

Three organizations make up what is known as Fair Wisconsin. Fair Wisconsin Inc. is a 501c4 the lobbying and legislative arm. Fair Wisconsin Political Action Committee (PAC), is their political action committee and endorses champions for LGBTQ+ equality. The Fair Wisconsin Education Fund is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to education surrounding LGBTQ+ issues in Wisconsin.

Fair Wisconsin is a member of Community Shares of Wisconsin and the Equality Federation.

History

During the first years of its existence, the organization was affiliated with the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. It grew dramatically from 2004 to 2005 in preparation to oppose a constitutional ban on civil unions and marriages for same-sex partners, with efforts to organize clergy against the ban^[3] and persuade voters in door-to-door canvassing. Center Advocates worked with Madison-based Action Wisconsin to organize against the ban from 2004 to 2005,^[4] formalizing one unified campaign known as Fair Wisconsin in early 2006. However, the constitutional ban passed in November 2006.^[5]

In 2007, Center Advocates advocated for domestic partner benefits for Milwaukee Public Schools employees,^[6] and additional nondiscrimination protections for transgender people in the City of Milwaukee.^[7]

Center Advocates became an independent advocacy organization in 2008, and in June 2009 its members voted to change the agency's name to Equality Wisconsin.^[8] A charitable arm, Equality Wisconsin Fund, was established in 2008.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2009, Equality Wisconsin supported Governor Jim Doyle's domestic partner proposals in the state budget, and sought to educate the public about the new provisions available to gay and lesbian couples.^[9] Educational efforts in religious communities^[10] and Milwaukee's Latino community^[11] were also ongoing in 2009.

In 2013 Equality Wisconsin merged with its Madison counterpart, Fair Wisconsin. The organization is now called Fair Wisconsin and is based in Madison.^[12]

Programs

Legislative Advocacy

Fair Wisconsin works to advance, achieve and protect the civil rights of LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites though a wide range of legislative advocacy. Fair Wisconsin is a registered lobbyist. Since 2021 Fair Wisconsin has been working to oppose the growing anti-LGBTQ+ movement in Wisconsin. In 2023 Fair Wisconsin submitted more than 15,000 pages of testimony in opposition a transgender medical care ban introduced by republicans in the state legislature. The transgender medical care ban was vetoed by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on December 6th, 2023.

Electoral Advocacy

Fair Wisconsin has run significant Independent expenditures on behalf of candidates since its founding. Fair Wisconsin's most notable electoral involvement occurred during the 2004 marriage amendment campaign in Wisconsin. Since the 2020 presidential election, Fair Wisconsin has expanded their electoral advocacy programs. The Fair Wisconsin Political Action Committee (PAC) Endorses both LGBTQ+ candidates and their allies, Fair Wisconsin PAC's notable endorsements include, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan, Dina Nina Martinez Rutherford and Mandela Barnes.

Related Research Articles

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is an American LGBTQ advocacy group. It is the largest LGBTQ political lobbying organization within the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., the organization focuses on protecting and expanding rights for LGBTQ individuals, including advocating for same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination and hate crimes legislation, and HIV/AIDS advocacy. The organization has a number of legislative initiatives as well as supporting resources for LGBTQ individuals.

Basic Rights Oregon is an American nonprofit LGBT rights organization based in Portland, Oregon. It is the largest advocacy, education, and political organization working in Oregon to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Basic Rights Oregon has a full-time staff, a contract lobbyist, and more than 10,000 contributors, and 5,000 volunteers. It is a 501(c)(4) organization that maintains a 501(c)(3) education fund, a state candidate PAC and a ballot measure PAC. The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.

In the United States, public opinion and jurisprudence on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights have developed significantly since the late 1980s. In 1961, beginning with Illinois, states began to decriminalize same-sex sexual activity, and in 2003, through Lawrence v. Texas, all remaining laws against same-sex sexual activity were invalidated. In 2004, beginning with Massachusetts, states began to offer same-sex marriage, and in 2015, through Obergefell v. Hodges, all states were required to offer it. In many states and municipalities, LGBT Americans are explicitly protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and access to public accommodations. Many LGBT rights in the United States have been established by the United States Supreme Court, which invalidated state laws banning protected class recognition based upon homosexuality, struck down sodomy laws nationwide, struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, made same-sex marriage legal nationwide, and prohibited employment discrimination against gay and transgender employees. LGBT-related anti-discrimination laws regarding housing and private and public services varies by state. Twenty-three states plus Washington, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and twenty-two states plus Washington, D.C., outlaw discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Family law also varies by state. Adoption of children by same-sex married couples is legal nationwide since Obergefell v. Hodges.

Equality California (EQCA) is a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California. It is the largest statewide LGBT organization in the United States and the largest member of the Equality Federation. The organization is based in Los Angeles.

Equal Rights Washington (ERW) is Washington’s largest statewide LGBT advocacy and community outreach organization. ERW's mission is to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Washingtonians.

Equality Maryland (EQMD) is a non-profit organization formerly headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, now based in Baltimore. It is the largest organization in Maryland whose activities focus on advocacy and education with regard to LGBT social and political movements. Its mission includes: the passage of laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity; the expansion of Maryland's hate-crimes statute; the increase of domestic partner benefits; the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Maryland and laws banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors.

Equality NC(ENC) is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocacy group and political lobbying organization in North Carolina and is the oldest statewide LGBT equality organization in the United States.

Equality Utah is an American non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which is Utah's largest LGBT rights group based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Minnesota have the same rights and responsibilities as non-LGBT people. Minnesota became the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in 1993, protecting LGBT people from discrimination in the fields of employment, housing, and public accommodations. In 2013, the state legalized same-sex marriage, after a bill allowing such marriages was passed by the Minnesota Legislature and subsequently signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton. This followed a 2012 ballot measure in which voters rejected constitutionally banning same-sex marriage.

EqualityMaine is Maine's oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender political advocacy organization. Their mission, outlined on the organization's website is to "secure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Maine through political action, community organizing, education, and collaboration."

The U.S. state of New York has generally been seen as socially liberal in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights. LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". The advocacy movement for LGBT rights in the state has been dated as far back as 1969 during the Stonewall riots in New York City. Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults has been legal since the New York v. Onofre case in 1980. Same-sex marriage has been legal statewide since 2011, with some cities recognizing domestic partnerships between same-sex couples since 1998. Discrimination protections in credit, housing, employment, education, and public accommodation have explicitly included sexual orientation since 2003 and gender identity or expression since 2019. Transgender people in the state legally do not have to undergo sex reassignment surgery to change their sex or gender on official documents since 2014. In addition, both conversion therapy on minors and the gay and trans panic defense have been banned since 2019. Since 2021, commercial surrogacy has been legally available within New York State.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of Wisconsin have many of the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexuals; however, the transgender community may face some legal issues not experienced by cisgender residents, due in part to discrimination based on gender identity not being included in Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws, nor is it covered in the state's hate crime law. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Wisconsin since October 6, 2014, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal in the case of Wolf v. Walker. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned statewide in Wisconsin, and sexual orientation is a protected class in the state's hate crime laws. It approved such protections in 1982, making it the first state in the United States to do so.

Equality Alabama (EA) is a statewide non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBTQ people in Alabama.

Equality Florida is a political advocacy group that advocates for civil rights and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) residents of the U.S. state of Florida. Equality Florida consists of two organizations - Equality Florida Institute, Inc., the 501(c)(3) educational charity and Equality Florida Action, Inc., the 501(c)(4) advocacy organization. Together with over 300,000 supporters, these organizations form the largest civil rights organization dedicated to Florida's LGBTQ community.

Equality Pennsylvania is an organization which advocates throughout the state of Pennsylvania for LGBT rights. Equality Pennsylvania also attempts to "advance LGBT-friendly policy and legislative initiatives". The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.

Equality Illinois (EI) was founded in 1991 to work towards building a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy, and protection of the rights of the LGBT community.

Freedom Oklahoma is a statewide political advocacy organization in Oklahoma that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, including same-sex marriage.

Alaskans Together for Equality is a statewide education and political advocacy organization in Alaska that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, including same-sex marriage.

Equality Arizona is a statewide political advocacy organization in Arizona that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, including same-sex marriage.

References

↑ History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Organizations, 2003, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Patrick Flaherty, "Wisconsin's Amendment Can't Stop Progress," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opinion, November 27, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Amy Wooten, "Wisconsin Faces Tough Marriage Fight," Windy City Times, December 7, 2005, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Mike Fitzpatrick, "Fair Wisconsin Fights On For Full Equality: Quest’s Mike Fitzpatrick Interviews Executive Director Eva Schiffrin," Quest, October 11, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Bill Glauber, "Marriage Measure Backer Savors Win: She Prepares for Future After Amendment," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel November 9, 2006, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Alan J. Borsuk, "MPS Panel OKs Partner Benefits: Resolution Moves on to Full Board after 4-1 Vote," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel November 21, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Larry Sandler, "Aldermen Want Overhaul of Sex Offender Ordinance: Measure Would Have Put Limits on Housing," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 1, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Lizzi Dahlk, "Center Advocates Members Vote to Change Name to Equality Wisconsin," Equality Wisconsin, News, June 15, 2009, accessed January 18, 2010. Archived March 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
↑ "Domestic Partner Registry Ushers in New Era," WISN ABC 12.
↑ Annysa Johnson, "Wauwatosa Church to Host Workshop on Gay Equality," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel September 25, 2009, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ Christine Neumann-Ortiz and Ray Vahey, "Advocates for Immigrants, Gays Find Common Political Ground: An attack on the Human Dignity of One Minority is an Attack on All," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opinion, July 11, 2009, accessed January 18, 2010.
↑ "Stories from the States: Fair Wisconsin and Equality Wisconsin Merge! | Equality Federation". Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.

External links

Fair Wisconsin website

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Organizations, 2003, accessed January 18, 2010.

[2] Patrick Flaherty, "Wisconsin's Amendment Can't Stop Progress," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opinion, November 27, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.

[3] Amy Wooten, "Wisconsin Faces Tough Marriage Fight," Windy City Times, December 7, 2005, accessed January 18, 2010.

[4] Mike Fitzpatrick, "Fair Wisconsin Fights On For Full Equality: Quest’s Mike Fitzpatrick Interviews Executive Director Eva Schiffrin," Quest, October 11, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.

[5] Bill Glauber, "Marriage Measure Backer Savors Win: She Prepares for Future After Amendment," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel November 9, 2006, accessed January 18, 2010.

[6] Alan J. Borsuk, "MPS Panel OKs Partner Benefits: Resolution Moves on to Full Board after 4-1 Vote," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel November 21, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.

[7] Larry Sandler, "Aldermen Want Overhaul of Sex Offender Ordinance: Measure Would Have Put Limits on Housing," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 1, 2007, accessed January 18, 2010.

[8] Lizzi Dahlk, "Center Advocates Members Vote to Change Name to Equality Wisconsin," Equality Wisconsin, News, June 15, 2009, accessed January 18, 2010. Archived March 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

[9] "Domestic Partner Registry Ushers in New Era," WISN ABC 12.

[10] Annysa Johnson, "Wauwatosa Church to Host Workshop on Gay Equality," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel September 25, 2009, accessed January 18, 2010.

[11] Christine Neumann-Ortiz and Ray Vahey, "Advocates for Immigrants, Gays Find Common Political Ground: An attack on the Human Dignity of One Minority is an Attack on All," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opinion, July 11, 2009, accessed January 18, 2010.

[12] "Stories from the States: Fair Wisconsin and Equality Wisconsin Merge! | Equality Federation". Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]