Final Vote on Domestic Partnership Registry Tuesday

The creation of a domestic partnership registry in Gulfport would grant unmarried couples rights when making education choices for children, emergency medical decisions, end-of-life and funeral arrangements. The registry was first brought to the council's attention by Councilors Barbara Banno and Jennifer Salmon following Tampa's move and passage of a local domestic partnership registry.

On April 19, council discussed the ordinance at a workshop. Then, after a few minor revisions and additions, ordinance 1212-10, passed during first reading with a 4-1 vote on May 1.

Now, the registry is one vote away from passage and will be the first in Pinellas County if leaders pass it on Tuesday night.

What are people saying?

"The Domestic Partnership Registry is a pro-active step taken by the city of Gulfport, every person involved in this should be happy and pleased!," Mark L. Grantham commented on a

"Our domestic partner registry currently has no legal standing outside of our city limits. Those council members suggesting those two docs were being supportive and realistic. Hopefully someday this may change but today even I as a single male need those docs to make sure that MY wishes will be followed by bureaucrats and healthcare personnel," Bill Church commented on a

"It's a baby step for same sex marriage, not equality. Although (a) step in the right direction. It's a beginning not an end. Gulfport will be a leader in the game. Other cities, counties and states to follow. It's a good move for straight couples as well because, some don't marry for financial reasons," Denise Lowe commented on a

"If this is for real, it is GREAT! My former live-in girlfriend passed away and I had no rights as far as funeral plans or arrangements even when she had expressed to me exactly how she wished to be honored. Her family dressed her up in clothes she would never have worn, buried her in a plot she would have never been comfortable in, and had a religious service that she would have puked during. I had no rights at all even when I lived with her and shared her life completely. It was frustrating and heart breaking, very sad to be a part of on top of losing her presence," Rob Fowler commented on a

"To discover the prospect of the City Council considering a "Domestic Partner Registry" merely reinforce my belief that I am in the right place and the right time. I am so very PROUD to be a GULFPORT resident!," Charlie F. Latham commented on a

About the ordinance:

The domestic partnership registry is modeled after the Orlando ordinance with elements of the Key West ordinance. The fee is $25 per couple and does not require both people to sign the declaration in the presence of the city clerk. The couple may drop off or mail in a notarized declaration.

It specifies the following rights and legal effects:

• Health Care Facility Visitation
• Health Care Decisions
• Funeral/burial Decisions
• Notification of Family Members
• Preneed guardian designation
• Participation in Education

According to the ordinance, domestic partners is defined as two adults who have chosen to share one another's lives in a family relationship. Two persons are considered to be domestic partners if:

• They consider themselves to be members of each other's immediate family.
• They agree to be jointly responsible for each other's welfare.
• Neither of them is married under the laws of the State of Florida, is a member of another domestic partnership, or civil union with anyone other than the co-applicant.
• They are not blood related in a way that would prevent them from being married to each other under Florida state law.
• Each is at least 18 years of age and competent to contract.
• They each have signed a declaration of domestic partnership as provided for in section 26-45.

For more information about the registry, view Ordinance 2012-10 attached to this story.

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