9 Days Later...

Well, it's June 30, and the results are in. Fair Wisconsin raised $42,530 in their $30K by June 30 campaign. That's right, $12,530 beyond the goal! In fact, the effort was so successful that the bar was raised from $30K to $40K on Wednesday. Thanks to everyone who donated.

30 by 30

Two days ago, Fair Wisconsin unveiled a fundraising drive asking for at least 1,000 people to donate 30 dollars - to raise a total of $30,000 - before the State Elections Board filing deadline on June 30th. If you've returned home for the summer and are out of range of Fair Wisconsin's many Action Networks, giving $30 (or more) is a great way to help out. (And you can watch here for updates as they approach their goal.)

If there is an Action Network in your area, continue checking the events calendar for ways to get involved. In Madison, for example, the TAA is co-sponsoring this Saturday's canvass, while volunteer nights continue to be held four nights each week. Interning, if you're near Madison or Milwaukee for the summer, offers a great way to begin or enhance your campaign and organizing experience.

Same-Sex Marriage Ban Update

It's now official: the U.S. Senate rejected the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage by a 49 to 48 vote. The Senate fell 11 short of the required 60 votes.

Meanwhile, many updates have been posted to the blogosphere since yesterday's summary. Here are some more highlights:

• Fair Wisconsin's No on the Amendment Blog has a similar review of the blogosphere posted, including the text of Senator Feingold's speech on the Senate floor.


• Purple Scarf has, likewise, been following the debate closely and has posted many updates. Highlights include the speeches of Senator Feingold, Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator John Warner of Virginia. He also has a handful of other remarks, posted with comments.

Senate Debates Same-Sex Marriage Ban

While we engage in a battle to prevent the ban of civil unions and marriage for same-sex couples in the state of Wisconsin, the U.S. Senate has begun debating a national ban of same-sex marriage, setting the blogosphere in action. Many of the blogs linked on our page have posted about the debate. Here are some highlights:

• President Bush spoke yesterday for over nine minutes about the need to pass this legislation. Fair Wisconsin’s No on the Amendment Blog and Gay Rights Watch both have the video (here and here).


• Gay Spirtuality and Culture has an entry about yesterday’s Atlantic Journal-Constitution, which featured a story with a headline indicating that a ban of same-sex marriage is one of President Bush’s top priorities.


• Wisconsin’s own Tom Scharbach offers his own analysis of the debate on Purple Scarf, suggesting that it is a ploy by Republicans to gain support during the upcoming election cycle.


• Finally, the New York Times reports on yesterday’s debate on the ban and that the debate will continue today in the Senate. Thankfully, they also report that the Senate probably doesn’t have enough votes to pass the legislation.