Two Men From An Ice Shanty Walk In To The Courthouse..

Are you kidding me? Appling has made an ice shanty comment which sounds like the start of a bad joke. A fairly recent Madison Times article just showed up in my Goggle Alerts. The article states the following:

As for Doyle's plan itself, Appling says it's broad and vague.

"One of our concerns is that this kind of partner registry could be available to two guys sitting in an ice shanty somewhere."

First off, now she is the one crying down the broad and vague river. Funny.. there's an amendment out there that is rather broad and vague. But I digress: that's an old story.

Seriously, folks. Two men in an ice shanty? According to the general provisions, only if:

• each individual is at least 18 years old and capable of consenting to the domestic partnership


• neither individual is married to, or in a domestic partnership with, another individual


• the two individuals share a common residence [even if only one of the individuals has legal ownership of the residence or one or both of the individuals have one or more additional residences not shared with the other individual, or one of the individuals leaves the common residence with the intent to return]


• the two individuals are not nearer of kin to each other than second cousins, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption


• the individuals are members of the same sex.

The application must contain the social security number of each party who has a social security number. It requires that each party must present satisfactory, documentary proof of identification and residence. The individuals who register as domestic partners must swear, or affirm, to the application before the clerk who is to issue the declaration of domestic partnership.

So I suppose if the two do own the ice shanty and can prove ownership, they can register. Which reminds me. There's no way an opposite sex couple would ever just shack up and obtain their marriage license inevitably leading to divorce, right? That has never happened.. except maybe Brittany Spears?

Oh, what do I know as a gay male with a same-sex partner of 10+ years. No matter. I'll continue to do what I can to educate against Appling's.. misconceptions.



PS: Apparently my link to the general provisions does not work. Try cutting and pasting the following link into your address bar to see them.

http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lfb/2009-11Budget/Governor/general%20provisions.pdf