Wisconsin to Get Domestic Partnerships?

In what appears to be a promising move, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle [pictured, left] included limited domestic partnership protections for the state's same-sex couples in his recent budget proposal. According to Fair Wisconsin, the statewide equality group, the proposed domestic partnerships would grant basic legal protections to committed same-sex couples, including hospital visitation, the ability to take family medical leave to care for a sick or injured partner and the ability to make end of life decisions for a domestic partner.

The good news is that some key members of the state legislature are in favor as well. Since WI was one of the states where voters passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in 2006, this piece of legislation is particularly important, as it would be the first piece of pro-equality legislation in more than 20 years.

If you live in WI (or know someone who does) make your voices are heard! Tell the legislators that you support fairness and equality in the state of WI and ask them to support it, too. You can do this through the Fair Wisconsin site at http://eqfed.org/campaign/Assembly_DP.

The Wisconsin State Assembly is scheduled to vote on this budget next Wednesday, June 17th. Stay tuned for developments!