The Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously rejected today a challenge to the state’s 2006 marriage amendment.
“Marriage and the will of the people are the clear winners in this decision,” said Julaine Appling, president of the Wisconsin Family Council. “When Wisconsin voters passed the marriage amendment in 2006 by almost 60 percent, they recognized the purpose of the amendment was clear and simple: to protect the institution of marriage. The Wisconsin Supreme Court reinforced that purpose in their decision.”
Wisconsin voters approved the amendment 59.4 percent to 40.6 percent to define marriage “as a union between one man and one woman and prohibit recognition of any legal status similar to marriage for people of the same sex or different sexes.”
Gay activists immediately challenged the voters’ decision, claiming the amendment was unconstitutional, because the amendment dealt with two subjects rather than one.
“The lawsuit’s accusation that the marriage amendment addresses multiple subjects was just a sneaky attempt to tear down what the voters clearly wanted,” said Appling. “The very reason we passed the marriage amendment was to protect marriage in our state from redefinition by judicial fiat. The court was right to reject this baseless lawsuit. Judges and politicians should never toss aside the will of the people in order to impose a system that intentionally deprives children of a mom and dad. Which parent doesn’t matter: a mom or a dad?”
Circuit Judge Richard Niess agreed and upheld the marriage amendment, as “the preservation of the unique and historical status of marriage.”
The appeals court sent the case on to the Supreme Court rather than acting on it.
People for the American Way and gay-activist groups vowed to challenge today’s decision.
“We know that the people who are determined to redefine marriage will always use the courts to try to get their way,” said Appling. “We can never, never assume that marriage is safe in this state.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Read the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling.
“Differing Definitions Of Marriage And Family.”
Read “Same-Sex Marriage: The Battle For Same-Sex Marriage Does Concern You,” by the Alliance Defense Fund.
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