Wisconsin Lovin’

—–Original Message—–
From: jjuneau
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 9:59 AM
To: margaretcho
Subject: Wisconsin lovin’

Hello Margaret Cho. My name is Joe Juneau and I am writing to you with something I’m sure you are already inundated with… stories about hope!

I’ve been a huge fan of yours for many many years and have had the great opportunity to see you perform both in Dallas and in Milwaukee. I currently live in Milwaukee and almost didn’t get tickets in time to see your show at Potowatomi because you are just so darn popular around here… I can honestly say that for the rest of my life, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” is now “totally shit when I fart.” I both love and hate you for that. 🙂

I digress.

I’m writing you because I know you are already heavily entrenched in the battle for equality among all people. People of color, religion (or freedom from) and orientation. Republicans have been introducing any sort of legislature they can to get their constituency out to vote for more Republicans and Wisconsin is about to fall victim to this a second time. We already changed the definition of marriage to one man and one woman but with the new elections on November 7th they are changing it to say ANYTHING that resembles marriage (civil unions, domestic partnerships, etc.) will be illegal.

This is a grave day for us here in Wisconsin. We are a state that prides itself on being the first to pass anti-discrimination laws to protect gay folks as well as having 3 openly gay elected officials in congress and state senate. My friends and family fear what is coming next.

I’m writing to ask, like billions of other fans I’m sure, for your help. I’m no one special here. I don’t represent any political group or any legislative body but as a concerned citizen of the fabulous state of Wisconsin. I’m 28 and have been with my boyfriend for 5 years. He gets his health insurance through me and all the benefits the company can afford. If this amendment passes this will be jeopardized as well as any hope we could have to adopt children and build a family.

We have a chance to be the first state to defeat this. It’s already passed in Michigan and Oregon (which was the most shocking of states) and the new language has had some catastrophic rippling effects already. Up to this point the word hasn’t gotten out to the right people. The amendment is written so cleverly that 20% of the people in Michigan thought they were voting against the amendment. It’s time that everyone is made aware that the secret is out and we aren’t going to stand for it. I truly believe that if Wisconsin can stand up against this obvious hate legislature it will resonate across the country. After all, if Wisconsin can defeat this, ANYONE can… and we’d like to frame that out for other states to follow suit with the type of activism that is needed.

Your fan and admirer,

Joe Juneau