Senator Russ Feingold, D-WI

FEINGOLD OPPOSES DISCRIMINATORY AMENDMENT:
SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY

April 4, 2006

Washington, D.C. - Responding to a question posed at his Kenosha County listening session over the weekend, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold said he strongly opposed the proposed civil unions and marriage ban facing Wisconsin voters this November. He also expressed his support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry. Feingold holds listening sessions in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties every year. Later this year, Feingold will hold his 1000th listening session as a U.S. Senator.

“The proposed ban on civil unions and marriage is a mean-spirited attempt to divide Wisconsin and I indicated that it should be defeated,” Feingold said. “It discriminates against thousands of people in our communities – our co-workers, our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. It would single out members of a particular group and forever deny them rights and protections granted to all other Wisconsin citizens. It would also outlaw civil unions and jeopardize many legal protections for all unmarried couples, whether of the same or the opposite sex. We shouldn’t enshrine this prejudice in our state’s Constitution.”

At the listening session, held at the Village Hall in Paddock Lake, Wisconsin, Feingold also expressed his support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

“As I said at the Kenosha County listening session, gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy,” Feingold added. “Denying people this basic American right is the kind of discrimination that has no place in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin. The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of divisiveness that has become part of this issue.”

Feingold noted that removing the prohibition against gay marriage would not impose any obligation on religious groups. He indicated that no religious faith should ever be forced to conduct or recognize any marriage, but that civil laws on marriage should reflect the principle of equal rights under the law.

Dear Senator,

I was deeply impressed on reading your statement today supporting the rights of all Americans in Wisconsin, including gays and lesbians, to marry and protect their relationship and family members. It is a refreshing and courageous position and I wanted to acknowledge your action and attempt to stop a Wisconsin state constitutional amendment.

As a New York resident I am not in a position to assist you much at present, but should you move forward to a national stage please be assured that continuing to hold our Democratic parties strong beliefs in diversity and fairness will be well remembered by me and acknowledged to everyone I speak.

I have recently contacted Senator Clinton challenging her on her support of DOMA and her refusal to support same sex marriage in New York and nationally. Supposedly, we here in New York, hold an international reputation for civilized and progressive thinking - buy I'd say that acoulade is better reserved today for Wisconsin.

My sincere congratulations for a brave stand.

Don Larson
New York, New York

Dear Senator,

I came to your site because of your statement today on eqaulity for gays and lesbans - to thank you, which I did a few minutes ago in a separate e-mail.

I had to write back because I'm simply astonished at the many, many courageous positions you are taking. All are issues I'm deeply concerned about, from the President's abuse of power through the Patriot Act to the seeming unjustness of the administartion of the death penalty.

You are the most principled man I've witnessed in politics for some time. As a former California resident (New York is a new home for me and my partner of 17 years) I find you ranking with a couple of people I'm deeply proud of in my home state - Senator Barabra Boxer and Mayor Gavin Newsom, as well as a number of lesser know but just as hard-working Democrats. (My partner and I were one of the 4000 or so couples who married, if briefly, in San Francisco).

Senator, they say you are one of the "new breed" of Democrats which I believe our party so desaprately needs to take stand against the divisive and oppresive actions of the current Republican monopoly in Washington and the frightening shift towards a singular far-right Christian viewpoint for our wonderfully multicultural society.

I offer my support, little though it may be worth to you. You have inspired me to keep open the debate and work towards the continued good of all Americans.

I do not know your religious beliefs, and I do not ask, but as a Catholic I find your values to represent the very best of a genuinely loving God inclusive of all. That is the Christianity I was taught.

Thank You!

Don Larson
New York, New York

You may contact Senator Feingold via his website,
just click this post's title to take you there.