Wisconsin Gaze

Wisconsin Republicans seek to criminalize all abortion as well as contraception

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer Nov 11, 2011

A fertilized human egg would gain legal recognition as a “person” in Wisconsin under a measure proposed by state Rep. André Jacque, R-Bellevue.

The measure – LRB 2859/1 – seeks to amend the state’s Constitution “to apply personhood rights to preborn children at all stages of development,” according to a press release from Pro-Life Wisconsin. Supporters of the proposal believe it would prompt a legal challenge that could overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that established a legal right to abortion.

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New Republican law would prevent Obama from taking all of Wisconsin's electoral votes

Written by Louis Weisberg Oct 12, 2011

Under a proposed new law being circulated among Republicans in Madison, Wisconsin would split its Electoral College votes for president rather than give them all to the winner.

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Co-founder of new anti-gay group has multiple arrest record

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer Oct 10, 2011

Anti-gay activists have created a new group that aims to overturn Appleton’s domestic partner benefits policy.

The Appleton Common Council voted Sept. 7 to extend employment benefits to the registered same-sex domestic partners of city workers. But former Appleton Ald. Jo Egelhoff, a staunch anti-equality activist, and Perry Bovee, a right-wing Christian leader with a record of multiple arrests, are fighting the decision. They’ve formed a group called “Appleton Taxpayers United," which has the single-issue mission of eliminating the partnership benefits, perhaps via referendum in next April’s general election.

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Appleton OKs partner benefits

Sep 22, 2011

By a vote of 10 to 6, the Appleton Common Council approved a measure extending healthcare and related employment benefits to the registered domestic partners of city workers on Sept. 7.

The move makes the city a more competitive recruiter, said Mayor Tim Hanna.

Doug Nelson leaving AIDS Resource Center

Written by admin Oct 19, 2011

Doug Nelson

Doug Nelson, who has headed the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin since 1988, is retiring as the organization’s president and CEO.

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First openly gay Presbyterian minister in nation ordained in Madison

Written by The Associated Press Oct 10, 2011

A man who left his Presbyterian ministry in California more than 20 years ago after telling his congregation that he’s gay was welcomed back into the church leadership as its first openly gay ordained minister on Oct. 8.

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Gay couple credited with preserving Mineral Point

Written by Mike Muckian,
Contributing writer Oct 2, 2011

Mineral Point is the hub of the Fall Art Tour from Oct. 14-16.

Along High Street, the steep thoroughfare that threads through hilly Mineral Point, mornings start quietly with a stirring of locals gathered for breakfast at The Red Rooster Café, 158 High St. The main street’s relative peace, flanked by quiet neighborhoods dappled with fall-colored leaves, make it hard to believe that back in 1830, this rural southwest Wisconsin community of 2,500 had a population greater than that of Milwaukee and Chicago combined.

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Gay man named top social worker

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer Sep 22, 2011

Dale Decker, an out social worker from Madison, was named the state’s “distinguished social worker” of 2011 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Decker picked up the award on Sept. 14 at an awards luncheon held at Madison’s Sheraton Hotel.

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Scott Walker broke high-profile campaign promise

Written by admin Oct 14, 2011

Gov. Scott Walker broke his campaign promise to pay the full cost of his state pension immediately after taking office in January, The Associated Press has learned.

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Same-sex domestic violence spotlighted

Written by Louis Weisberg Oct 6, 2011

The family of Rosalind “Roz” Ross, a former Oklahoma University basketball star who was gunned down by her female partner, tearfully recounted their loss at a press briefing in Milwaukee on Sept. 28.

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Celebration, color make Bayfield a fall favorite

Written by Michael Muckian,
Contributing writer Sep 22, 2011

Bayfield has become one of the state’s most popular retreats. – Photo: Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau

Watching the sunrise from the front porch of the Old Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield is a clear reminder of how life should be lived.

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The boys behind the door
Gays have helped make Door County a top destination

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer Sep 22, 2011

Bryon Groeschl and Darrin Day. – Photo: Courtesy

It’s a familiar scenario in Door County: Visitors are so smitten with the peninsula’s scenic beauty and postcard-quaint villages that they impulsively move here to open the bed-and-breakfast, restaurant or gift shop they’ve always dreamed of owning.

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