Thursday, November 16, 2006

WI drives away LGBQT scholars

The AP ran a story today about how the constitutional ban on non-traditional marriage is causing people to think about leaving the state and UW system. UW Madison Chancellor Wiley held a listening session where he heard the concerns of those affected by the amendment.

This amendment is a real black eye for WI, and will make it even more difficult to convince the best scholars to come here. Below average pay and overt discrimination (and assault) always creates an inviting atmosphere!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Y'know, the proponents of that ill-conceived amendment DID get one thing right. Marriage as an institution IS threatened in this country. It is threatened by infidelity, by violence, by dishonesty, mistrust, poor communication and unrealistic expectations, greed, substance abuse, by fundamental differences in personalities, etc.

Given this demonstrable fact, doesn't it make sense to have as many folks as possible feel they have a stake in marriage as an institution? Doesn't it make sense to expand the number of people with an interest in seeing marriage succeed as an institution?

Though I am disappointed in the outcome of this election item, I do honestly believe that most folks who voted for it did not act out of hate per se, but rather *thought* they were doing the right thing for society. I think they were WRONG, that society would be best served but shooting down this proposition, but at least many of them had the correct motivation. I wish that EVERY time folks went to the poll, they voted on th basis of what would be best for our society, rather than self-interest.

Anonymous said...

I don't think it is a matter of not being able to marry that is driving LGBQT scholars from Wisconsin. I think it is the legalized bigotry that has just passed in this state. By voting in favor of making our constitution a document that takes away rights, we have also taken away protections. Who wants to live in state where discrimination is legal?

Constitutions are supposed to protect rights, not take them away. I have heard that ballots in other communities did not even have the correct question on the ballot. Some communities had the amendment listed as voting for or against legalizing gay marriage. I was told by someone up in the valley that the word "gay" was actually in the question on the ballot. Maybe someone in the SEC should look into that. It would seem that changing the question to skew the vote is illegal.

Anonymous said...

You said:
>>The AP ran a story today about how the constitutional ban on non-traditional marriage is causing people to think about leaving the state and UW system.<<

You realize of course that most people who voted for the amendment are just going to say "GOOD!"