Minneapolis mayor urges WI same-sex couples to get married in MN
R.T. Ryback urges same-sex couples in WI to get married in MN
R.T. Ryback urges same-sex couples in WI to get married in MN
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The option of marriage for same-sex couples is now a little more tangible for those living in Wisconsin. The Mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Ryback, was in Milwaukee on Monday, September 9th, recruiting members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to travel to Minnesota to get married.
"I want to marry you in Minneapolis," Ryback told folks in Milwaukee on Monday.
Rybak performed 46 same-sex marriages when Minnesota's marriage law went gender neutral on August 1st.
Since then, there have been 1,600 weddings there, which Ryback says not only brings a heavy economic impact, but also gives people equal rights.
"If you get married in Minnesota and come back to Wisconsin, you can file a joint tax return and you can be eligible for veterans benefits," Ryback said.
Despite Ryback's presentation, some aren't rushing to the alter just yet.
"Of the concerns I have if we go to Minnesota, is there going to be a chance for prosecution, because in essence, it is illegal here," Maureen White said.
White says she has mixed emotions because of what is referred to as the Marriage Evasion Law.
"In 1915, there was a Marriage Evasion Law passed in Wisconsin that was at that time aimed at preventing young women from leaving the state to marry older men -- far before marriage equality was on anyone`s radar. The unintended consequence was that law was written so broadly it was interpreted to apply to same sex couples," Katie Belanger with Fair Wisconsin said.
In 2006, the Wisconsin Marriage Amendment was approved by voters. It defined marriage in the state as between one man and one woman. While Belanger suggested couples refer to their lawyer, she feels it is unlikely same-sex couples will have legal ramifications when they return to Wisconsin.
"Since 2004 when Massachusetts was the first state to pass marriage equality, no couples in Wisconsin who have left the state have been prosecuted under that law," Belanger said.
The Wisconsin Family Council has been vocal about its opposition to same-sex marriage. The organization advocates for what it calls "traditional marriage," between a man and a woman.
When asked about the Minneapolis mayor's ad and visit to Wisconsin, the organization's CEO had no comment on the issue at this time.