Jun

30

Wisconsin Gov. Signs Bill Enacting Domestic Partnerships

Filed Under LGBT 

Fair Wisconsin reports:

Wisconsin will become the first state in the nation with an existing constitutional amendment banning marriage equality and civil unions to enact domestic partnerships today when Governor Doyle signs the biennial state budget. The bill grants important and limited protections to same-sex couples in caring, committed relationships, including hospital visitation and the ability to take Family Medical Leave to care for a sick or injured partner. This makes Wisconsin the first state in the Midwest to legislatively enact protections for same-sex couples – putting the state whose motto is “Forward” back on a progressive track with this important step towards equality.

Embedded links added by me.

Before gay Wisconsin residents jump for joy, remember that Wisconsin’s domestic partnerships “do not confer a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals.” To be eligible to register as domestic partners, “two individuals must be of the same sex, both be at least 18 years old, share a common residence, not be nearer of kin than second cousins, and neither party can be married or in another domestic partnership with anyone else.”

I guess this is a step in the right direction. But, if the rest of gay Wisconsin is anything like me, they’re turning their nose up at this pathetic attempt to make us feel like we’re being treated fairly, like heterosexual taxpaying Wisconsin residents.

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