Domestic Partnership In Wisconsin
By Jamin Mahan

Domestic Partnerships for same-sex couples have been recognized in Wisconsin since August 3, 2009. Despite the fact that our state has an existing constitutional amendment banning marriage and civil unions for same sex couples this is movement in a fair progressive direction.
Wisconsin's domestic partnership law provides 43 rights and protections to couples, in contrast to more than 200 protections granted to married couples by state law.
So let's be clear, domestic partner registration in Wisconsin does not grant marriage equality or civil unions, but it does allow some protections for couples in a same-sex, caring and committed relationship.
"These are pretty common-sense rights that would come to people on the registry," Governor Doyle said. "They're just a way we can be a little more decent."
T o elaborate registered Domestic partnerships in Wisconsin includes protections , such as the ability to inherit a partner’s estate in the absence of a will, hospital visitation, end of life decisions, after death decisions, the ability to transfer vehicle titles, and the right to access family medical leave to care for a sick partner.
A domestic partnership can be registered at the county level, (Register of Deeds) with couples having to sign a legal declaration of their commitment (quasi marriage) . To be eligible for a domestic partnership, 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.
There is also an addition to the budget that allows state government workers as well as University of Wisconsin faculty & staff to include domestic partners as part of group health insurance and retirement survivor benefits.
Wisconsin is now the first state in the Midwest that has legislatively enacted protections for same-sex couples.
For a Domestic Partnership Reference Guide & County Clerk Registration Info visit, http://www.fairwisconsin.com/index.php

To learn more about local efforts concerning LGBT: public policy, legislatation, and civil rights visit,
http://www.equalitywi.org




 

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