Real People Affected by New Wisconsin Domestic Partnership

Sep 6th, 2009 | By Shannon | Read more in: GLBTQ

In March of this year, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle proposed legislation for same-sex partnerships in Wisconsin. Three months later, the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate both passed the state budget which included domestic partnership protections for same-sex couples in Wisconsin. WI-Domestic Partnership

This week, I received an e-mail from Kathy Williams, a friend of mine who lives in Milwaukee with her partner, Ruth Boulet. It gladdened my heart and I wanted to share it here. With their permission, I am posting it for you with my sincere desire to spread the hope that with each baby step towards equality, we don’t grow weary in our fight for it.

Hello friends,

Today I picked up a state-certified copy of mine & Ruthie’s “Original Declaration of Domestic Partnership.” I would have attached a picture but the ones from my phone were blurry.

Miscellaneous change for parking meters around the county courthouse: about $1.65.

Paperwork processing, notarizing, and certified copy fees: $121.

Making honest women of each other and taking a step toward being fully equal taxpaying citizens: Priceless.

Much love to all of you!

Please join me in congratulating Kathy & Ruth as they celebrate Wisconsin’s recognition of their commitment to each other. May you both have many happy years together.

Shannon
AWOP contributing author

Tags: Domestic Partnerships, Gay rights, Marriage Equality, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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6 comments
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Hahn at Home September 5th, 20092009-09-05T15:31:05ZF jS, Y 11:31 am2009-09-05T15:31:05Zg:i a
I am thrilled for your friends, Shannon, that they can form SOME kind of legal bond of commitment. I remember the day I domestic partnered – we went to the bank with a stack of papers (wills, powers of attorney, child custody agreements, and our actual domestic partnership form) to have them notarized. Then we went to dinner.

Cost: Thousands in legal fees and the notary cut us a break and gave us a small discount.

Tell me that process isn’t “less than” or different than what is available to straight people. And, we’re supposed to be grateful for it.

[Reply]
Kathy Reply:
September 9th, 20092009-09-09T20:21:22ZF jS, Y at 4:21 pm2009-09-09T20:21:22Zg:i a
I hear ya. We had already spent the thousands for our legal docs before this was put in place. And of course it’s being challenged, by people who have apparently nothing better to do than to meddle in other people’s business.

Anyway, thanks for the good wishes everyone! May equality for all go viral.

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Margo Moon September 6th, 20092009-09-06T16:45:37ZF jS, Y 12:45 pm2009-09-06T16:45:37Zg:i a
Love their happy, happy faces!

Thanks for this baby step to relish, if only for a few minutes, Shannon.

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Kim G. September 6th, 20092009-09-06T21:15:38ZF jS, Y 5:15 pm2009-09-06T21:15:38Zg:i a
Best wishes to you both from everyone at AWOP!

kim g.

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sidhe September 10th, 20092009-09-11T02:11:31ZF jS, Y 10:11 pm2009-09-11T02:11:31Zg:i a
Yay! I am delighted for you two and for my old home, Wisconsin!

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Janee Cooper February 2nd, 20102010-02-02T13:23:40ZF jS, Y 8:23 am2010-02-02T13:23:40Zg:i a
I usually don’t commonly post on many Blogs, yet I just has to say thank you… keep up the amazing work. Ok unfortunately its time to get to school.

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