Fair Wisconsin celebrates the one year anniversary of domestic partnership protections

One year ago today, Wisconsin took an important step toward equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as couples across the state began registering as domestic partners.

“Today we celebrate the anniversary of a historic achievement for Wisconsin’s 15,000 same-sex couples,” stated Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger. “We are very grateful for the exceptional leadership of Governor Doyle, the Co-Chairs of the Joint Finance Committee Rep. Mark Pocan and Sen. Mark Miller, and the many state legislators who worked tirelessly to achieve this landmark victory. They know that the government shouldn’t stand in the way of someone being able to care for their long-term partner.”

Over 1,500 same-sex couples across the state have registered as domestic partners and are enjoying the limited legal protections that domestic partnerships provide, such as hospital visitation and family medical leave to care for a sick or injured partner.

“Although domestic partnerships fall short of full equality, they mark an important shift in the direction of our state,” Belanger continued. “Wisconsin has resumed its rightful place at the forefront of the quest for fairness.”

Domestic partnerships mark the first pro-fairness advance for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community since Wisconsin became the first state in the country in 1982 to include sexual orientation in our nondiscrimination laws. The passage of domestic partnerships also makes Wisconsin the first state in the Midwest to protect same-sex couples via legislation and the first state in the country with a broad constitutional amendment banning marriage equality and civil unions to enact domestic partnerships.