A ‘more beautiful day’

The American Civil Liberties Union had challenged the state’s constitutional ban, adopted after a statewide referendum in 2006, on behalf of eight same-sex couples. Kristin Hansen, development director for the ACLU, joined some of the couples involved in the lawsuit on the State Street steps of the Capitol, where she and others applauded the court’s ruling. Standing in the bright sunshine, she called it a beautiful day that had become an even “more beautiful day.”

“We just don’t think that the majority should vote on the civil rights of the minority,” Hansen said.

Two of the eight couples who are plaintiffs in the suit also cheered the ruling. “We’re so excited to finally put this part of our relationship — this unmarried part of our relationship — to the side, to move forward,” said Pam Kleiss, 49, of Madison, a secretary at UW Hospital.

She held hands with her partner, Salud Garcia, 51, a bakery worker, who thanked the ACLU for taking on the case “when everyone else turned their backs and thought this case was unwinnable.”

Another plaintiff couple, also from Madison, said they were married in Canada seven years ago but became unmarried in the eyes of Wisconsin when they moved here.