Saturday, September 5, 2009 CLOSING CELEBRATIONCELEBRATION at the HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM This is far from just an awards ceremony, it’s a chance for players, fans, friends and the entire LGBT community to celebrate a successful World Series. We’re not letting NAGAAAFest go out without a “bang”, in more ways than one! Tour the history of the American classic motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, cheer on the winning teams, and be blown away by yet another great celebration, all within walking distance from the Host Hotels! Tickets are $5 at the gate, or order online! www.series2009.org Kristine W Chad Michaels as Cher By Mike Fitzpatrick IN WISCONSIN’S NEWS ed to defend the State of Wisconsin from exactly this type of legal challenge, and we regret that he has cho - WISCONSIN ATTORNEY GENERAL REFUSES sen not to do so.” The statewide LGBT civil rights organization has TO DEFEND DOMESTIC PARTNER LAW established a legal defense fund against the WFA suit, Madison - Though the lawsuit challenging the con - extremist religious views are already well known to the Belanger added. “Fair Wisconsin is prepared to defend stitutionality of the new domestic partnership law general public, Van Hollen’s may not be. Van Hollen has domestic partnerships because same-sex couples need filed by the religious extremist Wisconsin Family been involved with the right-wing evangelical men’s the basic protections they provide,” she said. “Because Action group has yet to be considered for acceptance movement Promise Keepers and at one time sorted a of the importance of this legislation, Fair Wisconsin by the state supreme court, Republican Wisconsin bumper sticker for the group on his personal vehicle. will seek to take an active role in this case and has Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced August Governor Jim Doyle and Assembly Representative retained Lambda Legal as counsel. We are confident 21 that he won’t defend the state against the suit. Marc Pocan (D-Madison), who championed the that the State Supreme Court will arrive at a fair and Van Hollen said in his statement that the state domestic partner law as part of the biennial budget just decision that upholds these basic protections for Constitution prohibits same-sex couples from holding bill, were quick to call Van Hollen on his decision. same-sex couples.” a legal status that is “substantially similar” to marriage “The Attorney General's job is to represent the state Unlike Van Hollen, Lambda Legal senior staff attorney and that he has concluded the registry does just that. and defend state law when there is a good faith defense sees no problems with the co-existence of the DP reg - “My decision isn’t based on a policy disagreement,” he to be made,” Doyle said. “His representation should istry and the constitutional amendment. “The domes - said. “ As Attorney General, I prosecute and defend not be based on whether he likes the state law.” tic partnership registry and the constitutional amend - laws that I wouldn’t have voted for if I were a policy - Doyle then defended the new law. “Clearly this is ment barring same-sex couples from marriage are not maker. That is what I believe the job entails. defensible. Constitutional law experts have examined in conflict with each other,” he said in a Fair Wisconsin "But I will not ignore the Constitution. My oath isn’t to the domestic partnership registry and believe it is sound press release. “In the absence of such a conflict, we are the legislature or the governor. My duty is to the people and not in conflict with the state constitution,” he said. perplexed and disappointed by the Attorney General’s of the State of Wisconsin and the highest expression of The governor was referring to the opinion issued last decision and we encourage the Governor to vigorous - their will - the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. May by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Council ly defend the important legal protections that the leg - When the people have spoken by amending our supporting the legality of domestic partnerships under islature validly enacted to protect Wisconsin citizens.” Constitution, I will abide by their command. When poli - the constitutional amendment. “It is reasonable to More information on the legal defense fund and how cymakers have ignored their words, I will not.” conclude that the domestic partnerships proposed do to donate to the fund is available at the Fair Wisconsin Van Hollen’s August 21 statement directly contra - not confer a legal status identical or substantially sim - website: www.fairwisconsin.com dicts remarks he offered as a candidate for Attorney ilar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals in vio - The domestic partner registry was contained in the General in 2005, a race that coincided with the battle lation of art. XIII, s.13,” the opinion concluded. state budget that went into effect July 1. Governor over the so-called “marriage protection” amendment Doyle then pointed out the additional cost Van Doyle initially proposed the registry as part of his referendum. “The Legislature or the governing body of Hollen’s decision will create. “Attorney General Van budget proposal last February. Wisconsin is the first a political subdivision or local governmental unit is not Hollen's decision not to defend the domestic partner state in the country to have enacted any type of legal precluded from authorizing or requiring that a right or registry will force the costs of outside counsel onto recognition for same-sex couples while also having a benefit traditionally associated with marriage be taxpayers when the Attorney General should simply constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and extended to two or more unmarried individuals; for do his job,” the governor said. civil unions. example, family health insurance benefits, certain pro - Pocan accused the Attorney General of “shredding,” Though the Supreme Court will not make its decision bate rights, or the ability to file joint tax returns,” he not protecting the Constitution by his decision. “The to accept the WFA case before it formally reconvenes said November 29 that year. AG claimed in his statement that he is defending the in September, it had asked the state for a response to Van Hollen’s flip-flop echoes a similar set of contra - Constitution - in reality he is shredding the Constitution the lawsuit by August 31. It is not known whether dictory statements made by lead litigant in the WFA for political purposes,” Pocan said. “I am very disap - Van Hollen’s late decision made a month after the suit, Julaine Appling. “If the state Legislature wants to pointed in the person who should be acting as the court request will impact the timing of the state take up adoption and inheritance rights, it can do state’s top attorney, not the state’s biggest politician.” response. that,” she said in December 2005, just a week after Pocan also appeared confident that Van Hollen’s While it may be rare, it is not unheard of for attor - Van Hollen made his original remarks.. “Nothing in the “political” decision would come back to haunt him in neys general to decline to represent the state. The second sentence (of the amendment, which forbids 2010. “When the domestic partner registry is upheld, WFA case marks the first time Van Hollen has declined civil unions) prohibits that,” she claimed. Van Hollen will have to explain to the people of to represent the state in a case involving a constitu - Appling’s tune changed completely in 2009 when Wisconsin why he shirked his duties and stuck them tional issue. However, there have been cases where a the WFA lawsuit was filed. “"The state's domestic with the bill, Pocan added.” conflict of interest has required it, according to partner registry is a direct attack on the will of the peo - Fair Wisconsin Executive Director expressed her dis - Department of Justice spokesman Kevin St. John. ple and our constitution, as well as on the institution may over Van Hollen’s decision as well. “Fair Given the late timing of the decision and Van Hollen’s of marriage." Wisconsin is disappointed at the Attorney General’s political and religious affiliations, his unstated conflicts While Appling’s and Wisconsin Family Action’s decision,” she said. “The Attorney General was elect - appear clear under scrutiny. QUEST MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2009 PAGE 5 FINAL CALL FOR NAGAAAFEST unteers to help with game event set-up and tear “Big Night Out” button. 2009 VOLUNTEERS down, ancillary equipment delivery and set-up. While the Big Night Out online auction has just Milwaukee - With the national gay softball World For more information and questions, contact started, the special night of festivities for the gala Series’ just a day or two away, a final call has gone Metzger by phone at: 414-899-0513, or by email itself isn't until Saturday, September 12. This year's out for volunteers to help out during the historic at: [email protected] Big Night Out gala will feature a registration cock - eight-day event. NAGAAAFest is scheduled to run tail hour, an Internet cafe for those who wish to par - August 29 through September 5. BIG NIGHT OUT ONLINE ticipate in the online auction, a sumptuous dinner, NAGAAAFest volunteer coordinator Mike Metzger AUCTION NOW OPEN an awards ceremony and a 1001 Nights Out Belly has scheduled another volunteer orientation and Milwaukee - The Milwaukee LGBT Center’s Big Dance Extravaganza presented by the Milwaukee sign-up session on Thursday, August 27 beginning Night Out online auction has begun. The auction Gay Arts Center. at 6:15 PM at the LaCage night club, 801 S.