Foes of a gay-inclusive domestic partner law in Wisconsin are taking their fight to the state Supreme Court.

Wisconsin became the first state with a constitutional amendment banning marriage and civil unions for gay and lesbian couples to recognize their unions with passage of the registry last month. Governor Jim Doyle, a Democrat, lobbied for the legislation, which extends a limited number of protections for gay and lesbian couples, by including the language in his biannual state budged approved by lawmakers. Most of the 43 rights granted to couples center around estate planning and hospital visitation issues. The law goes into effect August 3.

The group Wisconsin Family Action (WFA), which supported passage of the anti-gay marriage amendment as the Family Research Institute, and the Christian-based Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) announced Thursday they would join forces to fight Governor Jim Doyle's domestic partnership registry.

“Elected officials should never pass laws that violate the will of Wisconsin voters who legitimately amend the state constitution in a fair election,” Julaine Appling, president of WFA and lead petitioner in the lawsuit, said in a statement. “This new domestic partnership scheme is a sneaky assault on marriage from those who are determined to redefine marriage in Wisconsin.”

“Those who wish to redefine marriage are attempting to evade the clear language of the state constitution,” ADF Senior Counsel Brian Raum said.

The court filing was not unexpected, however. Appling said in February that if it passed her group would challenge the registry.

The action is the latest challenge to state laws that recognize gay unions this year. In Maine, petitioners say they will place a referendum on the ballot to repeal a gay marriage law. And in Washington State, opponents of a domestic partnership law that extends all the rights of marriage except the name are working towards a Saturday deadline to submit sufficient signatures to validate a repeal measure.

Iowa groups are also looking at ways to turn back a state Supreme Court decision that opened marriage to gay and lesbian couples in April. At least one gubernatorial candidate, Bob Vander Plaats, is running on the promise he would end gay marriage with an executive order.

In the District of Columbia, foes were unsuccessful in their attempt to block the start of a law that recognizes legal gay marriages performed elsewhere. City leaders say they will introduce a gay marriage bill in the fall.