Wisconsin budget extends rights to gay couples

With the budget signed Monday by Gov. Jim Doyle, Wisconsin has become the first state with a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions to put in place domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Wisconsin also is the first Midwestern state to legislatively put in place legal protections for same-sex couples, according to advocates.

But supporters of the ban still contend the creation of domestic partner benefits violates the constitutional amendment on marriage because it creates a legal status that approximates marriage — and they could file a legal challenge soon.

[ Duluth News Tribune ]