The action was brought on behalf of four couples. Three of the couples — one from Madison, two from Milwaukee — want the state to legally recognize their relationships by allowing them to marry. The fourth couple, from Eau Claire, was married in Minnesota in December and is asking Wisconsin to recognize that union.

Judi Trampf and Katy Heyning of Madison said banning them from marrying after nearly 25 years as a couple is unfair and hurtful.

Both work at UW- Whitewater ; Trampf is director of human resources and diversity, and Heyning is dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Trampf recounted an episode in 2002 in which Heyning had a seizure “and my authority to make medical decisions on Katy’s behalf was challenged by the hospital, because we were not married.”

Trampf said even though the couple had been together 10 years at the time, the hospital preferred that Heyning's brother, whom she hadn't lived with since childhood, should make decisions.

Said Heyning: “We love each other, and denying us the freedom to marry just doesn’t seem right.”