David Michael Miller
It would be an understatement to say that the past few years haven’t been great for progressives in Wisconsin. But through the dark clouds, a bright, beautiful rainbow has burst through. Marriage equality, in Wisconsin and now across the nation, has given progressives hope that things can get better in our society.
These marriage equality wins didn’t happen by accident. They were the result of smart, strategic planning on the part of LGBT groups and allies.
The victories provide a series of lessons for other progressive groups in Wisconsin looking to recover from the stinging losses of 2014.
Today’s first lesson: Focus on issues that touch a broad section of society.
Marriage equality cuts beyond many of the classifications that are used to divide us. People who are LGBT live in urban and rural areas, are from all races and socioeconomic statuses. They are friends, family members and co-workers.
When the impact of a policy is felt far away from your day-to-day life, the people who are affected by that policy become an abstraction. It is easy for many to ignore the extreme poverty in rural northern Wisconsin or some underfunded Milwaukee school. It is much harder to hold black-and-white views when it affects your neighbor. Even Gov. Scott Walker attended the reception for his cousin’s same-sex wedding.
Progressive coalitions should focus on issues that touch a similar broad base and have statewide impact — for example, the refinancing of student loans. Wisconsinites are still paying off student loans into their 40s. And it is an issue that cuts across categories. Those who don’t have college debt have friends and family members who do.
Lesson number two: Stay out of people’s wallets.
Marriage equality has no real losers in the economic sense. Sure, there are religious arguments, but the Supreme Court clearly stated that no religious leader is required to marry same-sex couples.
Progressive efforts are often sunk by economic concerns. Think back, yet again, to Act 10. Walker very specifically chose to tie public union rights to increased health care and pension contributions. He put a price tag on collective bargaining. I’m sure there were those who philosophically agreed with the idea of public employee unions but disagreed with the existing benefits package. People vote with their pocketbooks, not with philosophy.
This is why marijuana legalization is a smart issue to focus on in Wisconsin. Do I think it is an important issue? No. I like people consuming edible products instead of smoking, and I’m curious if crime rates in Colorado are affected, but that’s about it.
However, I do think the issue energizes young voters, much like marriage equality did. When the marriage ban passed in Wisconsin, a surge of young voters went to the polls in opposition. They helped win the race for Gov. Jim Doyle, the only time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate has won a true majority of Wisconsin voters since the ’80s.
Marijuana legalization also has the potential to raise some tax dollars to pay for policies that do cost money.
Lesson number three: Stay on target.
LGBT groups did an amazing job keeping their coalitions unified and focused on marriage rights. This had to have been an extremely difficult but strategic decision. While there were many other worthy issues that deserved attention, marriage rights stayed at the forefront.
Other groups could learn from that type of message discipline, even though it’s not easy in Wisconsin right now. The Republicans controlling the state Legislature are pushing a lot of bad policy all at once. When a 20-week abortion ban is being fast-tracked at the Capitol, those who primarily work in women’s health don’t have the time to also fight for water-quality standards and the prevailing wage.
But Wisconsin progressives have shown they can unite. The statewide indoor smoking ban succeeded with support from public health officials, environmentalists, bar and restaurant employees, and other citizens. Together, that coalition was able to win against the powerful Tavern League.
The final lesson: Think long-term, but don’t be patient.
It was less than a decade ago that a majority of Wisconsin voters passed a ban on gay marriage. Still, there was reason to be hopeful. Young voters were on the side of progress.
Everyone knew the ban would be overturned eventually, but LGBT groups and allies didn’t sit around waiting for “eventually” to magically happen. Smart messaging kept the issue in the public discourse, outreach helped turn opponents into supporters, and strong legal arguments won cases all the way up to the Supreme Court. Without these efforts, it might have taken another decade or two for equal marriage rights to become the law.
This is the most important lesson, particularly for progressives in Wisconsin in 2015: Accept your losses, take time to strategize, but don’t stop fighting for what you believe in.
Alan Talaga co-writes the Off the Square cartoon with Jon Lyons and blogs at isthmus.com/madland.