Domestic Partnership Registry Backed by Gulfport Families

One by one, supporters addressed Gulfport city leaders Thursday during the City Council Workshop and commended them for considering the creation of a domestic partnership registry in Gulfport.

Jan and Denise Lowe, accompanied by their family in the audience, approached council with questions, concerns and gratitude.

"We’re just like any other family," Denise Lowe said.

Denise introduced her wife, Jan, daughter Amber and two grandsons, Jaylen and Jeremiah. "We wanted to make a statement," Denise said.

Jan and Denise married nearly two years ago in Connecticut, but say their marriage is not recognized in Florida.

"I feel that our rights, civil rights are violated. We are discriminated against.  This ordinance, although it would help many different kinds of families, it affects us in a very personal way," Denise told to council.

The legal recognition of the registry at the local level would grant them rights when making education choices for children, emergency medical decisions, end-of-life choices and funeral arrangements.

Jan told council that one of the reasons she and her family moved to Gulfport is because of the diversity and "openness" in the community.

While couples praised the council for their efforts, Jan questioned the wording regarding a question about marriage on the form.

The current proposed registry form asks applicants if they are married. And since Jan and Denise are married, Jan says she would be committing perjury by signing the document.

Following public comment, council agreed to move forward with specifying the question. Perhaps, it could be written "Are you married in the State of Florida?" or "Are you married and is it recognized in Florida?" or "Is your marriage recognized in Florida"?

What does council think?

During the council's discussion, Councilor Jennifer Salmon expressed concern with the original intent of modeling the Gulfport ordinance after Key West's registry ordinance. Salmon said Key West was more general and said Gulfport should add more details like the ordinance in Orlando. That ordinance specifies the following rights and legal effects:

• Health Care Facility Visitation
• Health Care Decisions
• Funeral/burial Decisions
• Correctional Facility Visitation Rights
• Notification of Family Members
• Pre-need guardian designation
• Participation in Education

"The reality is, when you don't specify, then people actually do not have protections," Salmon said.

Councilor Barbara Banno agreed with adding details from Orlando's ordinance to the draft.

"Being a lesbian, you can’t take it for granted," Banno said.

As for any concerns about people requesting copies, upon Banno's research in Pinellas County, she concluded that the only information given out would be the applicant's name, city and state.

Councilor Dan Liedtke brought up that the registry is not in place of a power of attorney because the ordinance would terminate upon death.

Gulfport City Attorney Andy Salzman reiterated that information. “It’s not in place of the power of attorney. Durable power of attorney allows things after death. A lot of these issues are during the continued life of the partnership."

Officials addressed the $50 fee by stating that it's the fee Key West uses. City Clerk Lesley DeMuth will look into the cost of maintaining a registry in Gulfport and come back with a cost evaluation when the ordinance is up for first reading. Councilor Jennifer Salmon said she wants the ordinance to be "revenue neutral."

Support From Around Tampa Bay

Brian Winfield with Equality Florida came out in support of the ordinance.

“I just want to really commend the city council for taking on this issue," he said. "It is becoming less and less controversial.

“The last thing you want to think about is rushing to the safe deposit box on the way to the emergency room, in order to prove that you have a power of attorney,” Winfield added.

“I think it’s critical that the city not only do this, the right thing to do is carry this beyond Gulfport borders," Gulfport resident Al Davis said. "This issue is critical, it’s essential to the town.”

Gulfport resident Mark Grantham said, "I am in complete support and the concept of a domestic partnership registry. Yes, it is not marriage equality, but it’s a step.

"Granted, I am a single man, but I was in a relationship for more than 10 years, and I was turned away at the hospital," Grantham said. "I was told to wait for next of kin.”

What's next?

Gulfport City Attorney Andrew Salzman will draft an ordinance with details from the Key West and Orlando registries and bring it back for first reading at a future regular City Council meeting.

If you would like to share your thoughts on the issue you may contact Gulfport City Council members at the following email addresses:

• dliedtke@mygulfport.us
• bbanno@mygulfport.us
• jsalmon@mygulfport.us
• shenderson@mygulfport.us
• myakes@mygulfport.us