Friday, August 25, 2006

We're Moving

To coordinate our blog with our name change, we're replacing the Students for Equality blog with the Students for a Fair Wisconsin blog. All of the old posts (save this one) will be moved over there, and eventually, we'll delete this blog. Please update your bookmarks and keep checking the Students for a Fair Wisconsin blog for updates. Thanks!

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

And Finally, Some News

As you may have noticed here, some changes have been underway with Students for Equality. Most importantly, we have officially changed our name to Students for a Fair Wisconsin. We will also soon have a full-time campus organizer in Madison, and we continue to grow our group and our efforts statewide. We have a new facebook group and will be working to secure a new email address and create a new website.

As we transition, you can continue to use the current (old) website and email. We will be sure to take care of all the forwarding work, so nothing will be lost. And I must ask again: please pardon our dust as we transition and get things up and running.

We’re gearing up for a terrific fall, and we’re going to take campus by storm. Stay tuned for more updates!

Monday, July 24, 2006

Too Much Silence

The Students for Equality Blog has been strangely silent of late. (Nothing has been posted for over three weeks now!) And for that silence, I must apologize. I was out of town for much of the week of July 4, and once I returned, things began to heat up at Fair Wisconsin, where I’ve been spending almost all of my free time this summer. Between that and my regular job, I’ve not had the time to provide an update, so let me try to fill you in on what has been happening.

I have been spending my time at Fair Wisconsin divided between two tasks. The first has been ensuring that the walking lists are prepared and mailed in time for the canvasses happening in the many Action Networks throughout the state. The second has been working to place stories in labor-related newspapers around the state, to try to reach out to union members with our message. Both have been quite exciting, but have taken a great deal of time and attention.

As for Fair Wisconsin, you may or may not have noticed, but they’ve gone on TV throughout the state. In fact, their second ad debuted today. (Both ads can also be seen on YouTubehere and here.) In addition to that, Fair Wisconsin has been and continues to hire a great deal of new staff. And there was this brief bit of “controversy” over the opposition, Vote Yes for Marriage. (And while you’re at it, check out Mike Fitzpatrick’s wonderfully entertaining piece on the opposition’s logo.)

Finally, in Students for Equality news, we had a meeting last Monday, July 17, to discuss how we are going to win campus this fall. Though nothing is finalized, we have begun developing our plan of how we will make sure every student knows exactly what the proposed ban on civil unions and gay marriage entails and how to vote no on it come November 7. Part of it may include this blog, and we may be seeking writers for the fall. We'll see what happens.

There are some exciting things in the works; stay tuned here, and we’ll keep you posted. And get ready, because come fall, we’re going to take campus by storm, and with your help, we are going to make sure that every student knows why and how to vote no on the ban!

Friday, June 30, 2006

9 Days Later...


Well, it's June 30, and the results are in. Fair Wisconsin raised $42,530 in their $30K by June 30 campaign. That's right, $12,530 beyond the goal! In fact, the effort was so successful that the bar was raised from $30K to $40K on Wednesday. Thanks to everyone who donated.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

30 by 30

Two days ago, Fair Wisconsin unveiled a fundraising drive asking for at least 1,000 people to donate 30 dollars - to raise a total of $30,000 - before the State Elections Board filing deadline on June 30th. If you've returned home for the summer and are out of range of Fair Wisconsin's many Action Networks, giving $30 (or more) is a great way to help out. (And you can watch here for updates as they approach their goal.)

If there is an Action Network in your area, continue checking the events calendar for ways to get involved. In Madison, for example, the TAA is co-sponsoring this Saturday's canvass, while volunteer nights continue to be held four nights each week. Interning, if you're near Madison or Milwaukee for the summer, offers a great way to begin or enhance your campaign and organizing experience.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Same-Sex Marriage Ban Update

It's now official: the U.S. Senate rejected the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage by a 49 to 48 vote. The Senate fell 11 short of the required 60 votes.

Meanwhile, many updates have been posted to the blogosphere since yesterday's summary. Here are some more highlights:

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Senate Debates Same-Sex Marriage Ban

While we engage in a battle to prevent the ban of civil unions and marriage for same-sex couples in the state of Wisconsin, the U.S. Senate has begun debating a national ban of same-sex marriage, setting the blogosphere in action. Many of the blogs linked on our page have posted about the debate. Here are some highlights: