Isn't giving them closets enough?

Na, what they are really saying is they want to give YOU the right to "form a domestic partnership."

This isn't about giving people equal rights. Gays have the same rights as every one else. A gay man can marry a woman and a lesbian woman can marry a man just like everyone else. What gays want is special rights.

Hey Mikki, look at the posts can you honestly say you do not hear some hatred in them. Some people are being very mean, I am all for people having the same rights. Read my post carefully. And if you do not find some of the remarks hateful then maybe you should educate yourself. And, as you posted your opinion I have mine, I feel people are being mean, when someone makes their comments, it is you as others who jump to the defensive so again haters. You called me uneducated you do not know me I stated my opinion you have yours I do not call you uneducated, so you do not like my opinion. I won’t cry over it.

Marina, you're really reaching, calling people "haters".
I don't think anyone here "hates" anybody else, we are just wanting to make sure that if a law passes for gay couples living together, that the same law would pass for heterosexual couples living together as well. What is "hating" about that?

As for spelling and grammar, there is nothing mean about it. If you are honestly trying to read someone's post, it can be very difficult to do so if they can't spell correctly. These same people, often, call others names, even call others ignorant. I find this humorous.

If you think that someone that has a different opinion than you is a "hater" and would qualify as someone committing a "hate crime", you really need some educating yourself.

Wow so many haters out there, being married doesn’t get you better benefits I am married and we get less back in taxes then when I was single. We bought a home and being married did not change the mortgage I could have bought a house cheaper and easier being single.

As for all the mean comments about spelling and grammar, those remarks are because these people can only attack you when you make a mistake. Gay or not who cares, bible or not who cares, if you believe in the bible then you are going to hell for being so mean and if you want to quote the bible then who judges in the end God not you.

I think every couple who lives together should have same rights as married and besides I think we have a lot more problems in this state then gay couple rights, job loss, child molesters, robbers, murders, oh and hate crimes a lot of you qualify for that crime.

our (so called) governor last year was talking about an amendment to our constitution to make gay couples marrying illegal.. Now he's back sliding.. And if anything thinks its because he's changed his morals in the last year in regards to gays marrying... think again... its $$$$ he's looking for, now that Wisconsin & 46 other states are on the verge of bankruptcy.. our good governor is doing what all politicians do.. "bend to the left." He came up with this plan in his fiscal budget plan, which tells me its all about money. "How much can the state charge these couples to register" THAT'S the issue, & I'm a member of one of the larger advocacy groups in the state, & I know the governor has a rough road ahead.. I plan on being on the front lines of this one! Before we know it gays & lesbians are going to be "demanding their civil rights!" (I'm already seeing words like this online).. NEWS FLASH.. its not a Civil Right to be gay. No one who calls themselves a Christian can sit back, & just let this happen. We know thousands will.. I mean they voted for Obama, & still call themselves Christians, so needless to say.. Lots of Christians in the State have no clue of the Bible, or the gay & lesbian, & abortion issues would be a no brainer.

Whatever happen to standing up for common decency. Whatever happened to common sense.. Whatever happened to Not Over reacting.. Seems this country just gets worst at these things, not better.

so tell me this then if that is your big issue if they do get in a situation where they are out of work and do need assistance why isn't it okay for them to get help as needed? why is it okay for "married" couples to receive help only? you don't think non-married couples need help sometimes or that you should have to get married just to be considered equal? just because your not married to a person and living together does not make you less of a couple. a lot of people are not married but have kids and live like a married couple and have the rights to have benefits, as long as it is not scam and people are doing it according to the rules it should be fine. and you can say that people will use it to put other people on their benefits even though they are not together but people also get married and it is a scam as well so just because you are married that does not make it better or make it more likely that you are following all rules

Mikki, I agree with you. Not only that, but to those who are stating that they pay for their insurance, it is my understanding that in almost all cases employers pay a hefty portion of those insurance costs. If Walmart started picking up the majority of insurance premiums for "unmarried" partners, the cost of goods would go up. That does affect me as well. Latinmami and Hannah, it is very hard to take your comments seriously when you don't take the time to write them correctly. I understand that it is not always easy to do and that in some cases our schools have failed at teaching basic english skills to some. But if you would take the time to consider what you are saying and read what you type back to yourselves, you might make a change or two that would help the rest of us understand what it is you are trying to say. That is what the preview comment button is for and then you are able to make changes. I do it all the time. Just a suggestion and hopefully you won't get defensive about it :)

Okay, I will type real slow so you can understand. Perhaps if I don't capitalize my words, or use run-on sentences, you'd also understand.
If domestic partnerships were recognized by the state, then those people, when out of work, could apply for welfare benefits that married people would normally get.
Taxpayers would be paying this out.
So, yes, it would be everyone's business.
You get it now?

are you going to go to their job and pay for their insurance probably not it will come out of their paycheck just like everyone else so it is really not your concern who people put on their benefits as long as it is a "domestic partner" who they have lived with for at least the amount of time that is required, i know for my job it was a rule of you have to live wiht the person and be a couple for a minimum of a year, which to be honest i think it should be a little more time than that.

latin..I said I DON'T have a problem with interracial marriage, and yes if I pay taxes , insurance etc. it IS my business who gets benefits!!

i was actually typing to one person who did not like that they thought i repeated myself which by the way if they did not like it they have the option of not reading my posts as do the rest of you. i have been until these recents posts been talking on topic but if you want to just continue talking and bashing what i post about have at it then we can keep it off topic

Latin, now you are really making no sense. But thank you for answering at least one of my questions. Remember, you are the one who is attacking people and getting all defensive!

oops found a typo in my post you guys going to jump on that next.......

and am i emotionally needy far from, i was posting on topic until everyone decided they needed to not post about anything but my posts maybe you all are the ones who are needy sine none of you can post about the topic and only about what they think i should and shouldnt post

and how exactly was swisschick disagreeing with me, i don't think she has made a point yet the only posted has been about my posts. and no people who choose to live together without being married straight or gay and if they are aloud to get benefits because the state has made that law pass then what they do is not your business worry about yourself and what your benefits are. they will have to pay for them it is not like the state is going to give them the benefits for free

i guess my point would be that you want to go to beloit to have brighter conversations but yet this is the same town that has 20 stolen guns floating around randomly sounds smart to me. also why is it not okay for me to post what i want but yet it is okay for you to bash what i have to say but if i respond and stand up for myself that is not okay either because i don't think what chicken little swisscheese had to say about my post had anything to do with this topic either. and i support the benefits for both the start and same sex. does that answer all your questions.

Latin, again, you fail to answer my latest question. What does 20 stolen guns in Beloit have to do with same sex benefits? Also, please answer this-If you support benefits for same sex couples, do you also support benefits for opposite sex couples. Assume that gay marriage is NOT approved but a law is presented that would allow same sex couples to have benefits.

Thank you to Joker and Mikki.

latinmami, if the benefits are paid by the state, yes, it would be my business, than you so very much.
I am curious, however, why you call people names, like ignorant, when they disagree with you? Are you that emotionally needy?

JOKER exactly how was that racist you said janesville is going down the drain so you are moving to beloit well there is an article that is recent that says there were 20 guns stolen and are missing and could be on the streets so what exactly and how is that racist

I'm suprised to find myself admitting this, but I agree with the Joker. I, too, posed questions that seem to have been ignored rather than addressed. Instead, people are more intent on name-calling than discussing issues.

Latinmami, what does the issue of stolen guns in Beloit have to do with what we are talking about. Your comment is nothing more than ignorant racist rant. You should be ashamed of yourself.

klick that is too funny

well u do have the option of not posting to me and to just post about the article since i have not seen one post yet from you about it only about what you think i should and shouldnt post swissbeef

Klick - Thanks for that!! :)

A little humor

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.
She said, " I want a shiny new car that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds"and i said well we couldn't afford a new one so
I bought her a new bathroom scale.

...and that's when the fight started

You're going way overboard on this. (Sigh) At least I was never derogatory to your name.

Hannah high lite the word your in doubt about and then click the abc with check mark, a box will pop up and you can choose .

um swisschicken i never said i was the only one who can make posts but you came on here and the first thing you told me is to not repeat myself so why is it that i can't say what i want to? and by the way not on a high horse, if you did not want me to comment to you then maybe you should not of posted to me. you can say and do as you want and you can post how many times you want as well i really don't care but just keep in mind i have the right to as well. so maybe you should just stop talking about how many times i post

Why do you (latinmami2) feel that you are the only one that can post and/or make comments and feel you are always right?? Get off your high horse.

thejoker you can move to beloit where there are now 20 stolen guns floating around and the police can't find much safer right

geez swisscheese i think you just repeated yourself too do you not have anything else to complain about

As usual, this discussion has turned into insults and flaming each other. I have made excellent points, posed important questions and nobody has the courage to answer my questions. I am not surprised. No wonder Janesville is going down the drain.

Maybe I will move to Beloit where people are more friendly and can offer intelligent thoughts.

Hey latinmami2 - Sheesh! Calm down. I didn't read them all the way through. I stopped and went on the next post when I saw you starting to repeat yourself. Just wondered why you had nothing new to say instead of constant repetition. JMO

upnorthwi - why should interracial or same sex couples bother you or anyone else, you don't have to sleep with them and you are not paying their bills so don't worry what they are doing or who other people are doing.

Hannah this is what i use and i still screw up

http://www.iespell.com/download.php

Rockstar, I have no problem with interracial marriage, as long as they are of the opposite sex. And, yes, God did create a woman to be with a man. Try reading Genesis. Oh, you probably don't believe in God. I don't believe in evolution, I believe in God. I'm not living in the stone age. I'm not even middle aged yet. I just have faith....

hey swisschick i can post whatever i want as many times as i want to but if you have chosen to read it 8 times then that's your problem.

Ok, latinmami2, we've heard how wonderful your life was, with your benefits you paid for prior to your marriage, about 8 times already. Thank you.

Hannah - Chill! I took what IceMistral said to be more of constructive critism. I do have to agree with that poster and others that have problems understanding what you are trying to say. Please tell me that you don't talk word for word like you write. JMO

Putting religion aside, and I think that is appropriate for we are not to judge lest we be judged. With religion aside, there are questions of practical concern that go unnoticed and are not discussed precisely because religion gets pulled into the conversation. Some of these questions are:

1) Should the state offer gay employees partner benefits? There are issues of budget, as well as of fairness involved here. Note, I'm only talking about state employees, because this is a state budget bill affecting only state employees.

2) If you feel the answer is yes, what kind of framework should be established to ensure that domestic partnerships are real, loving relationships and not just something to take advantage of the opportunity for state-paid benefits? At my place of employment, for example, both parties have to sign a document indicating that to be the case, they have to prove that they live together (and in fact have a lease or mortgage together), have a shared bank account or investments with substantial deposits, etc. Would that be enough?

3) If you feel the answer is no, might there be some kind of legal definition or distinction that would allow other rights for same-sex couples? For example, there is NO legal opportunity for same-sex partners to be given visitation rights in the hospital, say in an ICU situation.

4) If the answer is no, how do you justify the legal status of straight couples (religion aside)? If it's on the basis of raising children, what of those couples who are childless?

opinionsforfree even if two men were making out in the park walk away if you don't want to see it, as long as they don't try to kiss you it is not hurting you one bit

It is a great benefit to have, my husband and i before i got married live together for 4 years we also had two children his job did not offer insurance and it was really nice that my job allowed for domestic partner to be put on the isurance too, we needed that, i paid for it so it was not like we were getting it for free. but with how hard it is to get jobs, my husband took the job that was available to him even though he did not have benefits offered to him, and no one should be forced to be married just have health coverage.

as long as I don't have to see two men making out in a park or in public I could care less.

how do gays getting married tamper with your sacred union?

Hannah, huh?! What are you babbling about? Please talk in full sentences.

As usual, some of you dodge my question. I suspect you do not have an answer or once again, I proved my point.

shocky52 I agree! It was Adam and Eve NOT Adam & Steve!!!Yuk!!!Doyle is an idiot and hoping for the gay vote when he launches his elction next time!!! Let's vote this clown out of there! I've been married 31 years and we worked hard to stay married and have kids!! It is a sacred union and Doyle is tampering with it!!

hannah i was trying to point out that people want to judge people who want to be together that are the same sex, no one tells a straight person who they need to be with and i don't think anyone else has the right to decide whether a man can love a man or a woman a woman do you understand now?

If we have preserved the "sanctity" of marriage by making it impossible for gays, why can't we reach beyond the obsolete structures society has nurtured and create a new form of partnership -- legal, binding, and insurable.

it does not matter which book of fairy tales you belive in, the bible, the koran whatever. this issue has nothing to do with religion. it has to do with human rights.

hannah, some rudimentary punctuation (or at least a quick proofreading prior to posting) would do much to clarify your opinion, not that I agreed with you once I'd struggled through to find it.

So what is wrong with this picture? Why do these same sex affairs need to rely on someone else to insure them? Get a job with benefits for yourself,what's so hard about taking care of yourself?

well ladies and gentleman be happy we have a spelling police officer on the forum here to help

Hey Woodsman, good to hear from you. Hope all is well and you are doing ok wading through some of the nonsense on this board.

Mickie, I have every right to point out the errors in grammar and spelling. I am trying to help people so they do not look so ignorant.

Techno Gray, sorry but your logic is flawed. According to you, a man and a woman who live together but are not married have an easy solution to getting benefits: just get married.
With your same logic, we then should apply the same to same sex couples. If you want to get benefits, marry someone from the opposite sex. So there, isn't that fair?! NO! Your logic believes that male and female couples should be forced to marry if they want benefits. Do you also believe then that same sex couples should be forced to break up with their partner and find someone of the opposite sex to marray so they can get benefits?

Ok, better yet, if gay marriage is legal in Wisconsin, do you believe in giving benefits to same sex couples who are not married? Also, if same sex benefits are allowed, should opposite sex benefits be allowed as well?

MayorMcCheese - my children go to school, can you say ASSumption?, Prejudice? Overgeneralization?

for the people quoting the bible that is great and i am glad you are well versed in it, but i bet there are a million things in the bible that you are not abiding by on a daily basis so to just bring it into this because for your own life and keep that in mind your life it is not right but that does not mean the girl couple sitting next to are horrible people because of who they choose to be with. there are a lot of things in the bible that we as a society should not be doing but we are everyday and i think that passing judgment on people is not very christian like either.

mikki - i was talking about benefits too, if you don't understand that then maybe you should just say so. do you understand that you also don't have a right to choose how people live and what kind of benefits they choose for their own lifestyles. if the benefits come through the company they are working for and they are paying for them then what is the problem. would this really be such a big deal to all of you ignorant people if the "Domestic Partner" benefits were just for straight people. probably not, but guess what it is not your right to decide who someone can fall in love with and it really is not your business either

you don't have the right to choose for people you have the right to choose for yourself.

"Rights are for who we decide should have them, not just ANYBODY."

Did Chiller really just drop the "Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve" line? Wow, how 70's of you.

latinmami2, learn to read, please. I was talking about benefits, and was making a point. If you don't get it, just say so.

lpcmom- Thank you so much for today's Sunday school lesson. Your preaching had the same effect on me today as it did 25 years ago...it put me right to sleep. It's people like you that force others to question their beliefs. Save you verbal lashings for your home-schooled children.

i am sorry for all you people who think it is "unfair" i had my "domestic partner" on my insurance that I PAID FOR. i think it is unfair for everyone to pass judgment on lives they are not living or paying for

Doyle is doing the same thing our federal goverment and Congress has done. Create a gigantic bill (1500 pages) under the guise of of fixing the State budget. Then attached all types of "policy" changes and special interest legislation that normally doesn't have sufficient support to pass on its own merits. Wisconsinites are being dupped!

Jim Doyle is a moron. Always has, always will be.

Also, just as a comment on Biblical perfection (the bible is always right, but it is not always factually true as written). If Adam and Eve were real people, they had only sons. With whom did those sons mate to procreate? Eve, apes... Perhaps there were some other people there. Maybe Steve...

In regards to making a choice to be gay. Reaearch shows that there are biological differences between the brains of straight and gay males. Choosing to be gay is like choosing to be black, poor, and on Welfare, or blind, or diabetic. Where is the benefit? Plenty of negatives. Get real!!! Do you actually know any gay people? (The answer is yes, but they probably wouldn't trust you enough to tell you!)

God does NOT hate gay/lesbian/homosexual people. They are His children too. I am a Christian and have been since 1972.

He wrote 10 laws in stone. 1. Have no gods that you value more than me. (Don't value power, money, status, sex), more than your relationship with me). 2. Don't worship idols (Bush, Obama, status, money ...). 3. Don't work on the Sabbath, spend that time with me! (go to church/temple, study scripture...) 4, Don't lie about anyone (don't gossip, exaggerate, spin...). 5, Treat your parents with respect. 6. Don't abuse God's name (I swear to God!, G__ D__ it!, J__ CHR_! 7. Don't envy your neighbors' toys. 8. Don't lust (yes this includes Playboy, the Swimsuit Issue, Sex in the City !!!!!) 9. Don't murder. 10. Don't "borrow" pens and post-it-notes from work.

Anyone break one of these commandments today?

I tithe 10% as required by the Old and New Teswtamnents. Do you?

Yes, homosexual male behavior is decried as an "abomination". So also is using mixed fibers (goodbye Spandex!), mixing milk and beef (lest you boil the calf in it's mother's milk.), eating pork and shellfish, and offering your sacrifice of a dead animal if you have unresolved issues with someone within your community.

Got any problems with the people you know? God says fix that first,THEN come before me!!!

If you have lust (please get in line!!), or envy (the line is longer!), OR YOU DON'T VALUE GOD AND YOUR RELATONSHIP WITH HIM NEAR AS MUCH AS YOU VALUE THE THINGS OF THIS EARTH (the line goes around the entire planet!!), please join the human (imperfect) race.

"Judge not that you be not judged". I don't know enough about your to be your judge, You don't know enough about me to be my judge. How about we just let God deal with it? I'm good with that!!

Marriage in our society, with a 50% divorce rate and probably a higher rate if infidelity, has NOTHING or very little to do with God, Christianity, or Biblical precepts. How often do you pray with your spouse?

Marriage or civil union is a legal arrangement that has to do with financial, medical, and child care responsibilities and rights. God is not invoked in a marriage convened by a judge unless it is requested. This is a legal arrangement. As such, it should be available to ALL CITIZENS on an equal basis. Just as we allow an inheritance to pass to a cat, we ought to allow it to pass to a same-sex partner of 25 years who nursed their partner through 5 years of dementia or cancer.

Lay off the gay and lesbian community. They didn't make the top ten, and you did. Is it God's will to put down gay and lesbian people, OR YOURS. JUDGE NOT...

OMG! Gay people will be able to visit their partners in the hospital?
NOOOO! I can see the apocalypse on the horizon...

What is Jim Doyle thinking giving gay people the same rights as us straight people. We shouldnt cater our laws to people who choose to be gay. Because being gay is obviously a choice right... I mean look at the perks of being gay: you dont get to get married, you don't get to visit your sick loved one in the hospital, you don't get the marital tax benefits as straight people, oh yea and theres people out there who will hate you for no reason other then you love someone the same gender as you.
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Give me a break people... gay people aren't going to ruin the world, or ruin the sanctity of marriage. I would say divorce is a much bigger threat to the sanctity of marriage then gay people are, wouldn't you? Why not fight to ban divorce instead of fighting to ban gay marriage?

This plan of Jim Doyle's is a step in the right direction... hopefully one day gay marriage will be legal nationwide. 2 consenting adults should be allowed to marry who they want.

The gooberment is pushing this so when the dept. of revenue or IRS Levy's bank accounts the same sex couple gets to contribute both incomes. Don't forget the lawyers when these loving couples split, that's where the real money is. It's always about the money.

What about equal rights for fat people? You all feel sorry for the gays, but when it comes to a different LIFE DECISION, you are close minded. Hypocrites.

I may not always agree religiously with things but I do believe on the other hand in having legal rights. Therefore, with church put aside, I dont think its totally unfair that they have that right.

I think there is always such a conflict between religion and having a right. Sometimes I think you have to think outside the box and separate your beliefs from legal human right.

upnorthwi, at least it's just you and Chiller in the "last days" as you say. I'll be enjoying my stay, thanks! ;)

And, I'm pretty sure based on scientific evidence, that God didn't create woman to be with a man. Women (and men) evolved. It's time that people like you and Chiller moved out of the Stone Age and begin to start walking upright like civilized humans.

Man, I'd hate to ask you haters that are against this what your thoughts on INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE are. I'm sure you'd suggest lynchings and "not MY daughter". Simply bigotry disguised as ignorance, both of which being unacceptable.

I'm so disgusted by the majority of the comments that I cannot and will not read them all. However, there are two that I would like to respond to.

TheJoker - "And don't even try to tell me that gay couples are different than the male and female who live together but are not married."

Actually, there IS a difference between opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples. Opposite-sex couples are able to legally marry and share benefits in the state of Wisconsin. Same sex couples are not afforded that luxury in this state.

jeffcty1 - "My girlfriend and I have been living together unmarried for many years. Why should same-sex unmarried couples get benefits that we can't?"

You're in luck! If you and your girlfriend want to share benefits, GET MARRIED. At least you can.

rockstars----You forgot the other Jackleg Preacher , forgive me lord for i have sinned

OH ya jimmy swagart.

Can't we now designate anyone we want to inherit our wealth when we pass away? Can we not assign "power of attorney" to whom we will with the authority to make life or death decisions for us now? If not, then by all means change the law immediately. But should we add unmarried "significant others" to state health insurance policies? Do we allow people to add their parents, their brothers or sisters, their adult children, even if they are dependants? No. And so it should be with unmarried significant others, even if that diminishes the romantic prospects of otherwise less than attractive state employees.

Chiller, I'm with you. God created a woman to be with a man. This world is going to hell..FAST. We are living in the last days my friend.

Area Man Believes Ellen DeGeneres Marriage Affects His Own; Cannot Explain How

this could be more entertaining if it wasnt so sad. that being said....

YA FOR EQUAL RIGHTS.

to all those feel the need to flame against rights and freedoms. DeNile aint just a river in egypt! its seeme like many(notall) who feel the need to throw hate at others really have hate for themselves.

JOKER: Hey ole bud,long time no bonding! Need some help here? If not,you go girlfriend,just had to say it.

Yeah, Chiller, I do. I actually keep my money in a bank. Again, I say, KEEP YOUR GOD OUT OF MY STATE. Preach all you want in church or in the privacy of your own home. Hell, even throw bumper stickers on your car. I don't care.

You sound sorta like a self-loathing closet case. Sorta like Ted Haggard. You know, the guy that preaches to "the Lord" but had boytoys on the side before he got caught.

Just keep your hand off my forehead while you try to "heal" me. I don't know where it has been.

Chiller- Please do you live under a rock? You would be the type of person who has probably spoken with, and might even be friends with someone who is gay and you don`t even know it.. Those Bible thumping screaches of Adam and Steve are so old..
And Joker-(and other grammar freaks) please. Please. Please- give up on the spelling thing. It is annoying that people take jabs at people over spelling.. Would love to see a picture of you to see your possibly flaws. Put the dictionary down, once and for all.

Rockstars - Anyone who would even say something as lame as "God created Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve!" isn't worthy of you having to defend your position. Chiller has obviously been living a pretty sheltered life.

maybe things have changed recently. as far as the pension that normally goes to whoever the person designates to get the benefit.

latin - There USED to be a civil law marriage in WI...that however is no longer true...my "stepmom" and dad have lived together for 19 years and have never married...if he died tomorrow my mom (his ex-wife) would get any pension benefits etc before my stepmom would even be considered...on the upside if either one decided to leave they would have no court costs (besides child arrangements)...grass is always greener on the other side of the fence...

chiller what does that have to do with anything? we are talking about equal benefits for couples regardless of their gender

Rockstars do you keep "IN GOD WE TRUST" out of your pockets?

thank you rockstars that is exactly what i said "domestic partner" is for both, it is great it gives everyone the option to take advantage of the benefits and for the people throwing god into this, he also intended for people not to be ignorant but that has not stopped half of these comments from being posted

Chiller, your comment is stupid and ignorant. KEEP YOUR GOD OUT OF MY STATE. And, if you wanna be all theological, if God created Adam and Eve, how exactly did God NOT create Steve? Aren't we all creations of God? Apparently not in the eyes of some bible-thumping bigots.

I'm gay and have been in a committed relationship for years. I think this is a great step forward and I plan on taking advantage of this. And for those of you that are worried about it being straight vs. gay, it's called "domestic partnership". Straight couples are also eligible for a domestic partnership if they don't want to or can't get married for some reason or another.

God created Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve!

w8nc - My apologies - I didn't see Truth1's comment! I thought you were talking to me. You have a right to blast me!

Common law marriage and community property have some overlap but are not the same thing. Wisconsin does not recognize common law marriage, but does have community property, which does depend on the degree and length of the relationship.

w8nc - I'm talking about HEALTH insurance, not car insurance! What the in the heck benefit would there be by putting my significant other on an AUTO policy? We're in our 50's for cripes sake.

Mespi, put a sock in it! You are talking nonsense. Just love how people on this board have nothing better to do but to go negative and attack.

w8nc that is not true about the common law, if you are with someone for 7 years or more they get half i know that is what i was told in the walworth county court when i got divorced

TheJoker: You changed your argument, and in your current argument you are at least correct that she claimed “all of the gay people she has met have been kind and moral”. You stated earlier “she is claiming that since all the gay people she met were kind and moral, then every gay person is kind and moral.” See it changed into what was actually said. Good Job. You get a gold star. That was my argument with you. You may go now, I am done with you, goodbye.

Truth1 get off of your car insurance kick. Car insurance rates have nothing to do with gay marriage. Plus car insurance rates are driven by factual statistical data. If you have a problem with your car insurance rate, take it up with your local actuary.
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Also, just to clarify, there is no "common law marriage" or "civil marriage" in the state of Wisconsin. Unless you are married or you have went through the proper measures, your significant other does not get anything if you die and you are not married.

Mikki - where did they say in article that the benefit was for illegal people

Mesi, first I would suggest that you use spell and grammar check. Also, your sentence structure is incorrect and therefore very confusing. I am not sure exactly what you were attempting to say. But you have a lot of nerve calling me ignorant. I bring some of the most intelligent thoughts on this website. Again, her logic is flawed if she thinks that because all of the gay people she has met have been kind and moral, we therefore should let them have the same rights as married people. This logic is just plain dumb.

Rooster - Unfortunately, being bound by a state contract called "Marriage" ties me to another person's debt. I want the bennie's not the debt! LOL, I know that sounds bad but if you've ever been through a divorce. . .you know what I mean. . .in all seriousness though, I just like the idea of having a choice to share my benefits with my significant other. And if same sex couples are given that privilege, then I want it too. After all if I'm willing to pay a higher premium for the insurance (switching from a "single" plan to a "family" plan) I would do it if I actually had the option.

I don't have a problem with it, as long as it's the same across the board. There are legitimate reasons straight people don't marry.
As long as we are talking citizens. But we are wasting money on illegals, giving them all sorts of medical assistance, that I don't know how we can afford this, too.

The only apology that you will get from me is that I am sorry you are ignorant, and put words into other people’s mouths. At no point dose the statement claim “that since all the gay people she met were kind and moral, then every gay person is kind and moral”. You actually have to state a claim; the only claim is that the ones that she has met have been kind and moral. Now if you have had a different experience then state your experience but do not try to make a statement into something that it is not because you are twisting it. It was a simple statement “but every LGBT person I have met has been a kind, moral person”.

i stated before i live in illinois now but i am from wisconsin our benefits here are for domestic partner so that means for either straight or same sex, so it is not just for the same sex couples.

examine what benefits represent: something (usually of some necessity, but not always) that is given free or less than full price to someone else with an interest in the transaction. the key is free or cheaper. why have to work for it when you can get stuff free and especially at the taxpayers expense. just because two folks of the same sex want to live together does that mean they have rights to the benefits that MARRIED HETROSEXUAL COUPLES BOUND BY A STATE CONTRACT have. does the state have an obligation to provide for licensed/contractual unions for same sex couples who want to live together. the liberal courts say yes, the conservative courts say no. who is right depends on who is in power. just ask nancy pelosi. she says "we won, we can do what we want" or something to that effect. personally, i don't care. considering the 1100 page pork chop that just got passed, our countries financial outlook is, well, porked-up.

I agree! It is about time!!!!

Mesp, of course I read her footville's post. Don't insult my intelligence. If you would use your brain, she is claiming that since all the gay people she met were kind and moral, then every gay person is kind and moral. AND because of this, gay people should get the same rights as married people. Foolish logic!

I accept your apology.

Mickie - I agree with the fact that it doesn't matter if you're gay or straight. It's only fair however, that if we agree to give benefits to unmarried same sex couples, then we should be obligated to give the same benefits to unmarried heterosexual couples too. If the definition of a civil marriage is 5 years living in the same household (unmarried) with the same partner, perhaps that could be the criteria that a couple would have to meet in order to qualify for "couples" benefits? Isn't that the reason we were forced to have to define civil marriage to begin with, so that someone could collect benefits similar to a married couple (i.e. insurance, etc.)?

TheJoker: Footvillegirl18 had mentioned that every GLBT that SHE has meet was kind. That is not a generalization that is her experience. Next time read fully.

What's the big deal? It has no effect on you unless your gay. I don't see why my fiancee & I should get different treatment because we are male & female. People need to get over themselves and grow the hell up. It's 2009 not 1920. Women love women, men love men, and every other which way it can go. GET OVER IT! A gay couple should have every right a straight couple has. They have feelings too. Probably stronger than some just because of all the crap they have to take everyday from arrogant jerks.

Footville girl, I don't know where to begin with you. On what scientific grounds are you basing your claim that if more children were breastfed that we would save tons of money in health care costs?! Breast feeding has it's place and value, some women just need to be more discreet about it.

Now, your claim that every LGBT person is kind and moral is just plain crazy. How can you generalize people like this? I have met plenty of LGBT people who are not kind and moral. I also have met plenty of hetrosexual people who are not kind and moral. There are good and bad people from all walks of life! Don't be foolish to think otherwise.

When I was 16, I had to pay more for car insurance as a male than I would have if I was a female and I've always been a safe driver.....what is going to be done about "discrimination" like that?????????
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I also have "bad credit" because of ridiculous medical charges.....no fault of my own ......what is going to be done about that???

well i was just letting you know how great it has been here and i was born and raised in Wisconsin and think they should have it too. is that okay with you

rexkramer: It would extend benefits of state employees. That would be a budget issue.

What exactly does this have to do with the budget?

Latinmammi- I understand that- yes if all states offered that, then great.. But we are talking about Wisconsin here..I wish all States would adopt the same rules.. Gosh how did this get to "peeing and breastfeeding"...LOL

How much longer is this bafoon going to be in office???????

Crafty, if thats your idea of "clever" your dog would be wise to decline your offer of marriage and hold off for someone with a little more class.

Yes Kcole- but we are not probably speaking of just those things. Healthcare is a HUGE issue.. I mean c`mon I pay alot for single Healthcare, maybe if I became even Bi-Curious and got a girlfriend with great health insurance then I could save a ton of money- or get into a straight relationship with some guy- any guy with great Insurance....Being married should be the only way for fairness of extra benefits.. If not I bet people will form all kinds of "new partnerships" for just Health Benefits! Its just time society excepts gay people, they should be able to get married and have the same benefits as married people..

Sandman- dont you dare compare my feeding my baby in public to PEEING! That bill is trying to be past so that small minded people such as yourself can not force me to stop feeding my hungry child. Every time a mother is told to stop feeding her child or looked at with disgust she is taking a hit to her confidence and the breastfeeding relationship is destroyed little by little. If all children where breastfed for 3 months this country would save money for health care and supplemental food programs.

And how can some one put a limit on tha love they feel for another person? not everyone goes word for word with the Bible, but every LGBT person I have met has been a kind, moral person. To put someone down as a second class citizen because they dont love they way you do is a sign of just how far this society has sunk.

gay couples should be able to be married and we as a society have no right to judge anyone for their choice of love, how would you people like it if someone said you can't be married to that person they are too fat and ugly or too skinny and too many pimples it is the same thing

"catch up with the times".......that slogan is getting really, really old.........

NO- no benefits unless marriage is recognized by state, otherwise every straight person who is in a "relationship" should be given the same.
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illinois has that, if you are in a live in relationship you can get benefits, i think that is good, i was with my husband for 5 years and on second child before we got married but we lived as a married couple and it was perfect for our family to be able to all be on benefits through my job since his did not offer health insurance.

Which by the way- I am a Catholic raised woman, believe in God and am straight.. But I do not believe my God would Judge others like our society does with the sexual preference stuff. It is time- we catch up with the times.. Good grief, let gay people marry- who cares.

I don't necessarily mind if same sex couples enter into a legal contract (similar to a will) that includes hospital vistitation and end of life decisions. Just call it something else except marriage. Since the traditional family is the foundation of our civilization due to pro-creation, it should be nurtured and protected by law.

You got me right! Don`t give a hoot about people`s sexual preference. But we all have to have the same rules.. I do believe that same sex marriage should absolutely be allowed-in every state..

mentor397- Yeah, and what about men paying more for car insurance than women JUST because SOME can't drive correctly, or people getting a "bad credit rating" through no fault of their own............... are these "injustices" and so MANY others going to be addressed also, or are some peoples' "equal rights" more important than others'?

I agree Mickie (if I'm understanding you right). They should have to actually get married and the state should have to recognize that union for them to get the same rights.

NO- no benefits unless marriage is recognized by state, otherwise every straight person who is in a "relationship" should be given the same.

the only problem i have with this is the following, so please hear me out. I believe a few years ago there was a referendum that was up at election time that would change the state constitution to recognize same-sex marriages and it was soundly defeated. So if those that came out to vote (being the majority) don't want this, why should it be able to circumvent the democratic process?
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I would love people's response to this.

May be if gay couples don't get the same rights as all people, they should get a tax credit or may be they shouldn't have to pay taxes at all. Why should they have to pay taxes in a country that doesn't provide them with equal rights? I think if people are law abiding tax paying citizens, they should be able to mary any other person they want to.
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And to the people who want to marry their pets, they'll have to head over to India or some other place that allows that. Animals are NOT people. So please don't compare gay people to dogs. It's not nice and it's down right rude.

I live in Illinois now and before me and my husband got married i was able to put him on my insurance because they have benefits for significant others and it can be same sex as well and i think that is great and i think that noone else has the right to tell other people who they can and can't be with and if the laws are changing to give everyone same benefits that is one of the best changes. it is 2009 and for people to still argue that it is not right for gay people to be together all i have to say is deal with it, no matter what ignorant things come out of your mouth you are not going to change people's feelings or choices that they have made and as long as they are not living with you and you are not paying their bills then don't worry about them

shocky52
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Define "normal married couples". There is no reason 2 people who love eachother should not be allowed the same benefits, regardless of gender. Last time I checked, the "normal married couples" were doing a fine job of keeping the divorce rate around 50% while cheating on eachother, beating eachother, and generally being "normal". Just because you don't agree with something doesn't make it wrong. You're not allowed, in my opinion, to take the Bible literally for convenience. If you're going to take the Bible literally, don't eat your bacon and pork chops, don't drink your milk, and gosh darn it definitely don't look at your neighbor's wife with those little learing, lusting eyes. People who can't open their minds and hearts to accept all people make me sick, and now you've just added yourself to that list.

You people are amazing. All they're asking for are the same benefits. I know couples who have been together far longer than the married couples I've seen marry/divorce/remarry. Why shouldn't they have the same benefits? Marriage is a sham in our society anyway with half of them ending in divorce.

To the poster who mentioned the Bible - GET OVER IT. Not everyone believes in YOUR GOD. There was a reason our founding fathers tried their best to insist on the separation between church and state. Your silly little views about some non-existent being in the sky shouldn't govern actual people who exist.

Jeffcty1: It is your choice to not put a rock on your girlfriend’s finger and marry her. If you wanted to be married and have the benefits of being married then you could. You have chosen not to. If you read the first sentence it says that the same sex couples would have to form a domestic partnership. Since we already decided that they cannot marry this domestic partnership would give them some of the same rights as being married would, like being able to visit each other in the hospital. I fail to see why so many people take this so personally, if you are not in a same sex relationship it won’t change any laws affecting you it simply gives the same rights that you have to people in a same sex relationship.

Shocky52: SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE YOU MORON!

All citizens should be equal, huh? What about the overweight people who can't get insurance or those with tattoos that can't get jobs? Let's face it, society has consquences for those who make decisions that aren't in the interests of those who control it. We're over four billions dollars in the red in this state, can't afford the benefits we've got, but let's expand 'em because we can!

gays couples have no business getting benefits that normal married couples receive. The bible says a man and women not man-man women-women.

crafty - You beat me to it. Rats!

I am only in favor of this bill if people of the opposite sex who live together are given the same rights. And don't even try to tell me that gay couples are different than the male and female who live together but are not married.

This is Doyle's way of challenging the recent amendment to the state constitution. I'm sure he already has several justices on board - because he knows he is in for a fast lawsuit. It clearly defies the amendment which states: "a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state and that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state" By his own statements, Doyle is seeking to grant legal status substantially similar to marriage to the unmarried.

I think this is a great. i think it should be like this everywhere.

Judging by some comments here, the motto on the state flag should be "BACKWARD".

My girlfriend and I have been living together unmarried for many years. Why should same-sex unmarried couples get benefits that we can't?

Giving ALL citizens equal treatment under the law is always a positive action in a fair and just society. The ideals of democracy aren't demonstrated when we create laws that only protect and affirm those with whom we agree. More importantly, the true test of a egalitarian - and loving - community is how citizens legally treat their fellow citizens with whom they disagree.

NONSENSE, pure and simple. Doyle is a spineless rube. I don't mind the LBGTQ contingent doing its collective CON-sensual thing (as long as they don't rub it in my face!), but let's call this what it ultimately is - a grab for undeserved and unnecessary B-E-N-E-F-I-T-S(unless you want to grant health insurance and death benefits to my "companion animals" - formerly referred to as "pets," but now proudly rechristened "Canine-Americans" in recognition of the services they have provided to the citizens of this "great" country - I'll be all over that one!). Just like the recent pro-breast feeding (now that you CAN rub in my face!) legislation - breast feeding in public was NEVER ILLEGAL to begin with (but if the excuse is that it's so natural, why can't people pee in public, hmmmmm? - after all, it's sterile, and SOME do like the taste!). All this statutory silliness is akin to passing legislation in support of well-balanced diets, responsible drinking, non-smoking, and tooth brushing/flossing! Politicians need to quit fiddling around while the the world economy and the country smolder on the brink of disaster (and one that irresponsible people themselves created by egotistical, possession-centered selfishness - can you say "overextended," "CEO salaries, bonuses and golden parachutes," "sub-prime mortgages," and that big house that YOU knew in your head you could never really afford but now expect USa to bail you out of so you don't have to move the family back in with ... your Auntie Grizelda?) and (perhaps the greatest tragedy of all) countless citizens are STILL being sent in to chance their lives in yet one more needless, pointless, purposeless, unwinnable crusader war!

It's about time!

Noooooooooo

Another feather in Jimmy Doyle's cap. The man must be defeated come next election, anyone would be better than this guy.

I am SO in agreement.Why should gaypeople get excluded from all the issues of divorce and child custody?? It's so unfair that only straight people have to pay divorcelawyers!!

So NOW can I marry my dog?

I don't mind this at all. But not until the budget is in order.