In a tremendous victory for fairness, Governor Doyle will sign domestic partnership protections into law this morning! Check back here for updates throughout the day.
If you are in Madison, plan on joining Fair Wisconsin tonight at the Shamrock Bar to celebrate this historic achievement!
Victory Celebration!
Shamrock Bar
117 W Main St # 1
Madison, WI 53703-4191
(608) 255-5029
Beginning at 5:00pm
Today's victory makes Wisconsin the first state in the nation with an existing constitutional amendment banning marriage equality and civil unions to enact domestic partnerships. The bill grants important protections to same-sex couples in caring, committed relationships, including hospital visitation, end-of-life decision making, 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 towards full equality.
Congratulations and thank you to all who helped make today possible!
Monday, June 29, 2009
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10 comments:
I have a question. My husband and I had been in a committed relationship for 25 years and decided 2 years ago to get married in Canada. Under WI law, we aren't legally married here (and I guess, due to an old law from years ago - could be fined for crossing state lines to get married). The new domestic partnership law states that you may not be married to sign up for its benefits (40 compared to the 1000+ of a traditional marriage). Since even the 40+ are better than the 0 we have right now, what happens to those of us in this situation? Our marriage is recognized in Canada, many foreign countries and in several states in the Eastearn US whom allow same sex marriage. My spouse's employer offered domestic partnership insurance to us about a year or so ago, but we would have had to pay a huge premium, and sign a document saying we weren't married. We won't sign any documents stating that we aren't married (even though it isn't valid in the state of WI) because we ARE married! So, back to the original question. How can couples like us be covered under the domestic partnership law or are we excluded because we choose to get married in Canada?
While we cannot predict with certainty how a court would address this question, the criteria to register include that neither individual is married to another individual (Wis. Stat. 770.05(2)). We believe that "another individual" means not the person you're registering with. Also, given the amendment here in Wisconsin, the Canadian marriage cannot be recognized by Wisconsin, including Wisconsin courts, including for purposes of interpreting 770.05(2)--for purposes of Wisconsin law, the Canadian marriage does not exist.
Does anyone have information on when and how we can sign up for a domestic partnership in Wisconsin?
Couples can begin registering at their County Clerk's office on Monday August 3rd. Fair Wisconsin is developing a fact sheet on the registration process that will be ready and available on our website very soon!
Why are we being charged the same price for the registry as a marriage license? We get 0.04% of the rights and still have to pay 100% of the cost? -sigh- It's better than nothing... but I'm so tired of my family always being stuck with greater government imposed financial hardships than other families.
Thanks for your thoughts on the subject. I was thinking the same thing after I sent off my question. If they ask on a questioneer if we are married however, we will reply yes...in another country, its just not valid in Wisconsin. That is one thing we won't compromise on...even to gain the domestic partnership benefits.
Anonymous,
we are in the same situation as you. We were married in Canada 6 years ago. Let us know what they say about the marriage question.
thanks Jeff and David
Can someone tell me who will be able to see the registry? Is this public information? We already get hate mail on our door on a regular basis from a local church. I really don't want other hate groups to be able to find that we've registered and then come to our door and harass my family as well. I've got my kids' safety to worry about and these people have been less than tolerant.
Domestic partnership registrations will be handled as vital records, just like marriage licenses. This means that only certain people can access the information.
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