In every generation, there is a struggle to create a more just society. From our founding fathers' struggle to re-concentrate the most basic powers of governance to the people to the women's rights movement and the struggle for racial equality, our nation is in a constant battle to redefine itself for the better. While our efforts are still needed, and battles are still being fought in the aforementioned movements, the LGBT rights movement has emerged as a prominent front in our generation's civil rights battle. The front line of this battle has become the right to marry. And just like the many other struggles in the history of this country, there are those who strive to achieve justice and those who are frightened by it.
A year ago, Wisconsin had a chance to achieve a major victory. A referendum defining marriage as between a man and a woman was put on the ballot. While we can be proud that University of Wisconsin students and the people of Dane County overwhelmingly voted against this amendment, the referendum passed by a significant margin. Wisconsin abandoned its progressive traditions and chose to write fear into our state's constitution.
Those of us on the side of justice still have the opportunity to right this wrong. Just last week, a Dane County judge decided a UW-Oshkosh professor could sue the state, arguing the referendum violated the state constitution. The Wisconsin state Constitution stipulates that a constitutional referendum can only ask one question. The Oshkosh professor argued the referendum on the ballot last fall asked two questions: First, whether marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman, and second, whether similar rights should be allowed to be granted to same-sex couples.
This lawsuit is part of a larger effort by many Democrats in the state to defeat this hateful ban. Gov. Jim Doyle was the first governor in the country to come out against this type of constitutional amendment. Democrats across the state also denounced this measure and volunteered countless hours in trying to defeat the ban. College Democrats statewide joined the effort, and on this campus volunteers knocked on doors, posted signs and joined in Fair Wisconsin's battle against the ban. After the referendum, it was Democrats who immediately began looking for ways to reverse the effects of the ban. State Sen. John Erpenbach, D-Middleton, introduced a constitutional amendment that would make civil unions possible in Wisconsin.
This fight is not over, neither here in Wisconsin nor in the rest of our country. Arizona became the first state to defeat a constitutional referendum in 2006. Massachusetts, the first and only state to allow full marriage rights for same-sex couples, managed to keep a constitutional referendum off the ballot earlier this year. In Congress, both the Matthew Shepard Act and a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act — legislative efforts authored and led by Democrats — have passed either one or both legislative chambers.
Democrats are enacting change on these issues. National polling data indicates Americans are slowly but surely embracing equality for LGBT individuals. Democrats are electing Democratic gay and pro-gay rights candidates at every level of government. In Wisconsin, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and Madison Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, both openly gay elected officials, have the support and votes of Democrats in Madison and Dane County. We can be proud it is the members of our generation, the youngest American leaders, who most strongly support gay marriage.
We must show at every level of government that we support the ideas of equality for all. This semester, the College Democrats have shown students on this campus we are the party with these values. We have shown students we value equality, and not discrimination; freedom, not fear.
I think we can all agree that America's best political hope for true equality and justice for all lies in electing the kind of Democratic leaders who have labored in these efforts. There is a battle being fought, and it is often being fought by Democratic leaders and voters, while being neglected by their Republican counterparts.
Next semester we will continue to raise important issues that affect our campus, our city, our state and our country. We are excited to announce we will be having a first-of-its-kind debate with the College Republicans in the days leading up to the Wisconsin primary. We also will be conducting our "Get Out the Vote" efforts to ensure students make informed decisions and continue to vote in record numbers. We will be doing all of this while keeping the values of equality and justice in mind.
Last week, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, spoke to students at UW-Milwaukee. He stressed one theme throughout this address: the importance of students in the political process. Our votes make the difference; our progressive minds hold the solutions to today's and tomorrow's problems. The time is now, and I implore each of you to get involved.
Oliver Kiefer ([email protected]) is chair of College Democrats.
