Gay couples across Wisconsin were able to begin registering this morning for government-recognized domestic partnerships. Governor Jim Doyle says the provision included in the state budget grants those residents some basic protections, which he views as a major step forward for basic rights.
The registry grants about 43 protections to same sex couples, such as hospital visitation rights. Doyle says it’s far from the over 200 protections given to same-sex couples that get married.