Almost 6-in-10 Wisconsin voters backed a ban on gay marriage, still not good enough for the ACLU.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin on Monday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to void the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution’s protection of equal treatment and denies a basic freedom to gay couples.
“We expect that this lawsuit will bring the freedom to marry to all Wisconsinites,” Larry Dupuis, legal director of the ACLU of Wisconsin, said at a press conference Monday. “We expect to demonstrate that Wisconsin’s refusal to allow marriages or to recognize out-of-state marriages of gay and lesbian couples violates the fundamental right to marry as well as the … Constitution.”
In a statement, state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said he plans to defend the amendment, which passed with a 59 percent margin in 2006.
“This constitutional amendment was approved by a large majority of Wisconsin residents,” Van Hollen said. “I believe the amendment is constitutional, and I will vigorously defend it.”
A message left with the office of Gov. Scott Walker was not immediately returned Monday.