Supporters of Wisconsin's new domestic partner registry say it will survive a legal challenge.
Wisconsin Family Action has filed a lawsuit with the State Supreme Court challenging the registry, claiming the provision violates the state's Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage or a similar legal status.
Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Katie Belanger argues the measure included in the recently signed state budget is not in conflict with the amendment. She says the registry does not create a status similar to marriage, because it only provides a handful of the benefits married couples receive. Belanger says the roughly 43 protections registered same-sex partnerships will receive pales in comparison to the hundreds given to married couples under state law, and the over 1,000 granted under federal law.
She says legal opinions from the State Legislative Council from early this year also support the registry being legal.
Domestic Partnerships are scheduled to become legal in Wisconsin beginning on August 3rd.
