Anyone who thinks signing up for a domestic partnership registry is "substantially similar" to marriage, does not know much about the rights associated with marriage. This from
Wisconsin. The emphasis is mine.
Madison - Gov. Scott Walker believes a new law that gives gay couples hospital visitation rights violates the state constitution and has asked a judge to allow the state to stop defending it.
Democrats who controlled the Legislature in 2009 changed the law so that same-sex couples could sign up for domestic partnership registries with county clerks to secure some - but not all - of the rights afforded married couples.
Wisconsin Family Action sued last year in Dane County circuit court, arguing that the registries violated a 2006 amendment to the state constitution that bans gay marriage and any arrangement that is substantially similar.
In reality, this is just another example of the Republicans trying to position conservative stances on social issues within an economic framework. Something I maintain we will be seeing more of as the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination race heats up.
"We don't believe it is in the best interest of the state and its taxpayers to spend additional time and resources defending the legislation," he said in an email.
So, they get to stop defending a law they don't agree with, based on the best economic interest of the state. But, the law will still be defended in court because the gay rights group Fair Wisconsin intervened in the case last year. And what's at stake? No, not rights such as adopting children together or filing joint income tax returns. We are talking about taking medical leave to care for an ill partner, making end-of-life decision and conferring hospital visitation rights.
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