MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin’s same-sex couples earned a major victory in court late Monday afternoon.
Dane County Circuit Judge Daniel Moeser upheld the state’s domestic partner registry. He rejected arguments by the Wisconsin Family Action group that the registry violates the state’s constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions.
The registry lets same-sex couples apply for domestic partner benefits at county clerk’s offices, similar to how married couples get licenses. The registry includes about one-fifth the benefits that married couples enjoy – including the right to visit each other in hospitals and make end of life decisions.
Former Democratic Governor Jim Doyle pushed for the registry in the 2009 state budget, saying people were being treated unfairly just because of their sexual orientation.
At first, the Family Action group went directly to the State Supreme Court to try and strike down the registry before it could take effect in August of ’09. The court gave its ruling a few months later, and said the group would have to make it case before the circuit and appellate courts first – just like most others have to do.
