Equality

Equality

Support for equal rights, sex equity, marital property reform, and divorce reform.
Position In Brief: 

Support for equality for all regardless of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other class protected by applicable state or federal laws.

Position History: 

For League history on this position, PDF icon click here.

Equal Rights

Support for equal rights for all regardless of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other class protected by applicable state or federal laws, with recognition of the special needs of Native Americans; action to combat poverty and discrimination and to provide equal opportunity for employment, housing, quality education, and access to public accommodations.

Sex Equity

Adequate state funds should be provided to eliminate sex bias and stereotyping, with recognition of bias against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals, and to provide sufficient nontraditional educational, career and other options for women and men.

Divorce Reform

Support of divorce laws which:

  1. Prohibit discrimination based on sex in any consideration or decision related to divorce.
  2. Provide financial settlement (maintenance payments and/or property division) with just consideration given to:
  • Length of marriage;
  • Contribution of each party to the marriage, including appropriate economic value to each party’s contribution in homemaking and child care;
  • The earning capacity of each party;
  • The contribution of one party to the other’s increased earning power;
  • The terms agreed to regarding child support.
  • Award child custody on the basis of the best welfare of the child(ren), without bias based on gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race or disability.
  • Determine child support on the basis of:
    • The financial resources of the child;
    • The financial resources and potential earning capacity of each parent;
    • The physical, emotional and educational needs of the child;
    • The value of custodial services;
    • The preference of the custodial parent to remain in the home.
  • Remove the necessity of placing “fault” with one of the parties.
  • Recognized “irretrievable breakdown” as grounds for divorce.

    • Support for legal and economic protection for men and women in divorce cases is included in this position.

    Marital Property Reform

    Support of legislation to insure that: 

    • Economic value is placed on the work of both spouses regardless of earned income;
    • The tax structure is equitable to both spouses;
    • Legally, marriage is considered an economic partnership that establishes rights and obligations;
    • Marriage is an option for both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

    Specifically: 

    All property and assets brought to the marriage and property or assets acquired through gift or inheritance during the marriage remains the separate property of the spouses who received them.

    All profits (fruits) from property or assets brought to the marriage or from property or assets acquired by gift or inheritance during the marriage shall be shared property.

    All earned income received by either spouse during the marriage shall be shared property. During the marriage all earned income of either spouse shall belong equally to both and both spouses shall have equal rights to manage and control earnings.

    Spouses shall be entitled to one-half of all property acquired during the marriage other than gifts and inheritances. Written agreements entered into by both partners regarding property ownership shall be recognized by the state.

    Economic Equity

    Support of:

    • Legislation, policies and programing to promote Economic Equity and support the democratic principle of common social good.
    • Opposition to all legislation, policies and programming that enable the unhealthy concentration of wealth and power.
    • Education/programming on Economic Equity Work to create an informed and proactive citizen base thus enabling the public to reclaim their voice in civic engagement, the election process, and policy making, which challenge making democracy work.
    Issues: 
    Other Issues
    League to which this content belongs: 
    Wisconsin