Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples
have applied for Wisconsin's
domestic partnership registry in its first week.
Department of Health Services officials
say a new survey shows 440 gay couples registering for the new
benefits, Madison's ABC affiliate WKOW reported Monday.
Fifty-eight out of 72 counties
responded to the agency's request for the number of applicants. Dane
County lead with 115 couples, followed by Milwaukee County with 52.
Wisconsin's domestic partnership
registry grants gay and lesbian couples about 43 rights. Most deal
with hospital visitation rights and estate planning.
Opponents have asked the Wisconsin
Supreme Court to invalidate the registry. They say it violates the
state's voter-approved ban on gay marriage.