Baldwin announces separation from long-term partner

The only out lesbian in Congress has announced the separation from her long-term domestic partner of 15 years.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and her former partner, Lauren Azar, have ended their relationship and are terminating their registered domestic partnership in Wisconsin, according to a statement issued last week from Baldwin’s office.

According to the Associated Press, Baldwin and Azar were among the first same-sex couples in Wisconsin to sign up for the state’s domestic partnership registry when it was set up last year.

Azar is a member of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, which regulates the state’s utilities. She was appointed to the position by Gov. Jim Doyle (D) in 2007.

The statement from Baldwin’s office says neither Baldwin nor Azar have any further comment on the separation.