Students for a Fair Wisconsin hosted a meeting Thursday to discuss domestic partner benefits for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and increased legal protections.
State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, spoke at the meeting said supporters of LGBT rights had made several victories in the past year.
""We really had a good year when it comes to equality in Wisconsin,"" Pocan said. ""We made huge, huge gains, despite the really ugly constitutional amendment [banning gay marriage].""
Pocan said these gains are a result of many organizations, including Democrats, religious groups and organized labor groups, forming a coalition of people deciding ""to stand up for what is right in Wisconsin.""
Katie Bellanger, executive director of Fair Wisconsin, said the LGBT community has made many gains in legislation, but they are not done working toward full legal protection.
""This past year has been a really exciting time for people in Wisconsin, and we've made some really important steps forward, and we're not quite there yet, but we have a lot of work to do,"" Bellanger said.
Pocan agreed and said the future of the LGBT rights movement will rely heavily on student involvement.
""The backbone of a lot of the efforts on behalf of equality came from people under 30 and came from students … but that doesn't mean that just because all your friends support [equality] that you can be complacent,"" Pocan said. ""It's important that people who believe strongly in something get active, because it's the best way to make sure that what they believe in can actually take place.""
The College Democrats are planning a lobby day in the spring to show support for equality and to let politicians know students care about LGBT issues, according to chair Molly Rivera.
""Domestic partnerships is a really important first step,"" Rivera said. ""I think it is just going to take time for generations to change and transform.""
