According to the 2010 Census, 13,630 same-sex partnerships reside in Wisconsin - an increase from 8,232 in the 2000 Census.

The number of households with same-sex couples is increasing nationally, as well. Wisconsin may not exactly conjure up images of massive gay and lesbian populations, but these new statistics do tell us this: same-sex couples live everywhere, their numbers are growing, but they still face discrimination in today’s society. In an article from the JSOnline, Wendy Woodruff, a lesbian woman living with her partner in Greenfield, said, "I would say the count is probably light because a lot are still loath to give their information to anyone, even if it's supposed to be private, especially in small towns in America."

So where does this leave the gay and lesbian people of Wisconsin? The fact that we are not one of the six states that legally recognizes same-sex marriage is a discouraging factor, but it does beg the question – will this significant rise in reported same-sex partnerships lead to changes in state legislation? Can it?