California Supreme Court Upholds Prop 8

California’s fight for marriage equality took a step back yesterday when the state’s Supreme Court decided to uphold Prop 8. And of course, people took to the streets to express their displeasure with the ruling.

But don’t count CA out yet – the ruling will help gay marriage, according to Carlos Watson, MSNBC anchor. Let’s hope it does, Carlos.

Read the full reading from the California Courts if you’re feeling ambitious.

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One Step Closer: Domestic Partnership Benefits

Fair Wisconsin just announced that the Joint Finance Committee of the Wisconsin Legislature has approved domestic partner benefits as part of the upcoming biennial budget.

Now we just have to wait until June for the vote from the full legislature.

Read more on Fair Wisconsin’s blog:
Joint Finance Committee Approves Domestic Partnerships!

UPDATE 5.27.09
The plan also includes a same-sex domestic partner registry. This also is pending approval from the Legislature.

WisPolitics.com and UW-Madison have more information on the matter as well.

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May 2009 Meeting

The LGBT Task Force met Wednesday (13 May) – here are the highlights:

  • Welcome to Laura Steigerwald, new IMPACT President.
  • Watch for UHCS Support Group in the Fall for Students in Questioning.
  • Nominations requested for System Board of Regents Diversity Award.

You can also read the full minutes (PDF) if you’d like.

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Safe Zone: Year in Review

The semester is wrapping up, with students cramming for finals, some lucky ones graduating (including Maggie Augustin, IMPACT Vice President), and faculty and staff preparing for the summer session. With that in mind, I thought that it would be a perfect time to share highlights from the Safe Zone program.

  • There were six sessions (three each semester) offered in the last year, and we also conducted training for several departments as well. A total of eighty-four individuals participated.
  • In the session evaluations, we ask the question, “Did you take away information that was new to you?” On a scale from 1-5 (1 – nothing new, 5 – a lot new), we received an average of 3.86.
  • Feedback from the session: “very informative”; “clear focus and good resources”; “friendly presenters”

We’ll be continuing our work with the program next fall – watch for the advertisements if you’re interested in participating.

Not sure what a Safe Zone is? Our informational flyer should help.

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The Sky Isn’t Falling…

Wisconsin State Journal carried an Associated Press story today about the assessment of allowing same-sex marriage in Massachusetts as it reaches its five-year anniversary.

Taking stock, five years after Massachusetts was the first to accept gay marriages
Wisconsin State Journal

The comments section is where you’ll get the local flavor – always entertaining to read the back and forth between posters.

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