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| WELS member Ron Kind. |
Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind is the latest lawmaker to join a chorus of support for gay marriage rights.
Kind, a La Crosse Democrat, made the announcement Thursday morning on his Facebook page, saying in part, “My 18-year marriage to Tawni has taught me that we’re both stronger because we love and support each other. I support marriage equality, because if two people want to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for one another, then the government shouldn’t stand in the way.”
Kind said the Supreme Court deliberations on the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8, as well as inquiries from constituents, prompted him to state his position, though he said it is consistent with his stance on other issues of equality.
“I just think that the second-class citizenship has not worked well for our country throughout our history,” Kind said. “We’ve looked back at it with embarrassment.”
Kind, who belongs to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod that condemns homosexuality, stressed the difference between law and church doctrine.
“We’re not dictating people’s religion or religious doctrine,” he said. “You can’t force churches to marry people within their congregation. … But when you start singling people out for treatment, it doesn’t work well.”
First introduced in 2009, the Respect for Marriage Act would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which says states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages approved in other states.
Though Kind is the last Democrat in Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation to voice support for gay marriage, the move drew praise from local LGBT advocates.
“I think it’s fantastic,” said Jackson Jantzen, executive director of the Seven Rivers LGBT Resource Center, who noted that lawmakers are finally taking notice of the changing public sentiment.
A February poll of 1,799 Wisconsin voters — as well as 679 usual Republican primary voters — found opposition to same-sex marriage has narrowed to just 46 percent, compared with 44 percent in favor. One in 10 said they hadn’t made up their minds.
And nearly three-quarters said they support some form of legal recognition for gay couples — 39 percent favoring marriage equality and 32 percent civil unions, according to the survey by Public Policy Polling.
A March survey by Marquette Law School found 42 percent think same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, while 26 percent support civil unions.
That represents a notable swing from 2006, when Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. (The amendment passed by just 152 votes — less than 0.4 percent — in La Crosse County.)
Polls show support for gay marriage is strongest with young voters and in more urban areas.
In smaller urban markets — which include La Crosse-Eau Claire — sentiment was almost evenly split, with a third supporting marriage, a third civil unions and 30 percent no recognition.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest organization supporting equal rights for gays and lesbians, counts 176 House members and 54 Senators who publicly support marriage equality.
Kind joins the other three Democrats in Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation who support same-sex marriage. None of the six Republicans do.
Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat who represents southern Minnesota’s 1st District, also supports gay marriage.
Minnesotans rejected a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage last fall, and the Legislature is considering proposals to legalize it.
Cindy Killion, who is president of the Seven Rivers LGBT Resource Center board and lives in Fountain City, Wis., said if Minnesota passes the marriage bill, she and her partner of 17 years are moving across the river.
“We want to go to La Crosse,” she said. “But now La Crescent is looking better.”
'via Blog this'
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| Joel Hochmuth and Mark Schroeder denounced ELCA for being honest about their homosexual stance. When I linked the letter, which they sent out jointly, the link disappeared. Co-inky-dink. |
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| He looks familiar. |
GJ - When SP Schroeder was told about an active homosexual WELS pastor, he said, in effect, "Write a letter."
