This weekend will mark the 25th anniversary of the landmark signing of a state bill making it illegal to discriminate against gay citizens.
On February 25, 1982, Wisconsin Governor Lee Dryfus passed a progressive civil rights bill making it illegal to discriminate against gay citizens in areas of housing, employment and public accommodations.
This bill was created by former state Rep. David Clarenbach, who will be speaking at a reception Friday night hosted by Outreach, a Madison area LGBT community center, at Olbrich Gardens to celebrate the 25th anniversary. U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and former Governor Tony Earl will also be at the reception.
Due to the passing of the Nov. 7 referendum making gay marriage in Wisconsin illegal, Wisconsin may have lost the vigor for which it was so well known 25 years ago when it comes to gay rights.
Though UW-Madison and its surrounding area have a liberal reputation, Outreach Development Director Nikki Baumblatt said domestic partner benefits are offered to gay couples in other Midwestern cities with more conservative reputations.
""You go to supposedly the most progressive university in the Big Ten, and we're the only one that doesn't offer domestic partnership benefits,"" she said.
She still commends the 1982 gay rights bill as a major step in Wisconsin civil rights history despite the recent amendment battle.
""Twenty-five years ago we wouldn't have even had the chance to vote on marriage,"" Baumblatt said. ""We may have lost the battle, but at least we have the opportunity, which is something that wasn't there for us before this point.""
Baumblatt contrasted Fair Wisconsin's campaign against the gay marriage ban with the push made in 1982 in support of the civil rights bill.
""In 1982, they were able to find the trigger that spoke to all the legislatures across the aisles, whether they were Democratic or Republican,"" she said.
State Sen. John Erpenbach, D-Middleton, a gay rights supporter, is working to pass an amendment that would put civil rights protection into the state Constitution. It has not been heard in committee yet.
""Every man, woman and child should enjoy the full protection of Wisconsin's laws, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or the color of their skin,"" Erpenbach siad in a statement. ""This amendment reflects the fair-minded values of the people of Wisconsin.""
""We have seen countless examples of the freedoms and liberties we cherish being eroded,"" said Erpenbach. ""This amendment will help ensure our civil rights in Wisconsin are always protected.""
