| This November, Wisconsin voters will decide whether to amend the constitution to ban civil unions and marriage for same-sex couples. This tremendously important decision could harm real families with far-reaching consequences that most mainstream Wisconsinites are not aware of, and would not support. As a fund raiser for Fair Wisconsin -- the campaign to defeat this ban -- I was inspired to write this article by Heidi's recent call for Asian-American political activism. As a fourth-generation Japanese-American woman born and raised in Hawaii, it feels unnatural to label our community as distinctly Asian American or identify myself as a minority. My home state is English-speaking and American, but predominantly of Asian ancestry, Japanese ethnicity, and mixed race. I am a U.S. citizen who speaks only English. Asian. Japanese. Mixed. Growing up in the majority, I never felt belittled, discriminated against, invisible, or even different. Blessed to thrive in a culture steeped in the best of Asian values and American opportunity, I oppose this ban for simple reasons: we can and should nurture all of our children with the best of all of our worlds. As Asians we value strong families, hospitality, work ethic, and respect for elders. As Americans we strive for equal rights, democratic ideals, and opportunity for all. This ban does nothing to advance our values as, frankly, a constitutional amendment should. To invite injustice where it needn't be can only demean our ideals and aggravate life's challenges. Few Wisconsinites know this issue will be on the ballot and fewer understand its consequences. It is important to know that the ban consists of two sentences. The first is redundant and the second is cruel. While the first sentence messes with the constitution unnecessarily, Wisconsin's statutory ban on marriage for same-sex couples will exist in full force after election day no matter what ; the second denies unmarried people any benefits "substantially similar" to those of marriage. That language jeopardizes domestic violence protections for every unmarried person in Wisconsin, threatens committed same-sex couples' ability to visit each other in the hospital and share health insurance, and limits our ability to assemble benefits packages that will attract the most talented public employees. These potential consequences are legal reality in Michigan, Ohio, and other states that have adopted nearly identical bans. Recognizing the unavoidable impact on Wisconsin citizens of every sort, a broad coalition has united in opposition: the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, local branches of the AFL-CIO, SEIU and AFSCME, local business leaders, the Urban League of Greater Madison, Christian and Jewish institutions representing over 500,000 Wisconsinites, and advocates for children, families, the aging, domestic violence victims and reproductive choice. Based on their public positions regarding similar measures, it is safe to assume many of the country's most prominent Asian Americans would oppose, as well: California Congressman Mike Honda, comedian Margaret Cho, author Amy Tan, actor George Takei, musician Yoko Ono, ACLU lawyer Kenneth Choe, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. Further, several Asian American groups also oppose federal measures similar to Wisconsin's proposed ban: the Asian American Justice Center, the Japanese American Citizens League, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Asian Law Caucus are some. Our list of allies is long and diverse because they understand this ban is dangerous. ;We amend the constitution to grant rights, not deny them, and it is foolish to depart so dramatically from such tradition. Constitutions must help a democracy mitigate the bigotries that seize its people, not facilitate them; and as people who've suffered discrimination at the hands of government, we should wonder: if they use this historic document to remove rights now, which groups might be threatened next? It may be difficult to see human dignity where it has been questioned or denied. Decent people of good faith may find this issue unsettling or prefer apathy, but it is not good enough to ignore the ban's effects or hope tolerance prevails eventually, regardless of what happens in November. That is just not good enough. By enacting this ban on civil unions and marriage, the voters of Wisconsin would hurt real people now. This isn;t necessary and it isn't right. My family has been hurt by prejudice and irrational fear, most likely, so has yours. I see these forces take hold in debates over immigration reform, most likely, so do you. Prejudice and fear can't be tamed; just eliminate them. Denounce them not in one place, but everywhere. A unified Asian American community can reject this ban for what it is: an unnecessary, harmful, and discriminatory misuse of the constitution. We should reject this ban. We should know better. |
| NO to constitutional amendment on civil unions, marriage rights to same-sex couples by Liz Fujii |
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