Largo Supports Proposed Countywide Domestic Partnership Registry

The Largo City Commission passed a resolution on Dec. 18, which supports the county's proposed creation of a domestic partnership registry. The registry would give domestic partners rights reserved normally for married couples, officials said.

The Pinellas County Commission is scheduled to consider implementing a countywide domestic partnership registry on Jan. 15.

According to a city report, the proposed county registry would allow domestic partners and their dependents rights and decisions such as:

• health care facility visitation rights 
• health care decisions for each other
• funeral and burial decisions
• education of a dependent

Largo had discussed setting up its own registry, most recently in September. Clearwater, Gulfport and St. Petersburg have registries. On Dec. 11, at a city commission work session, Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith asked if the commission would consider a city resolution showing the county its support for a countywide domestic partnership registry.

At the Dec. 18 meeting, the commission shared its support for a proposed countywide domestic partnership registry 6-1.

Commissioner Curits Holmes voted against the resolution. Holmes said, while marriage does have certain privileges or rights, there are also certain "consequences". The registry would remove the "consequence portion of the legal entaglement," Holmes said.

Largo resident Geoff Moakley spoke out against the domestic partnership registry. 

"Please, do not expand government and its inefficiency...keep government out of individuals decisions," Moakley said.

Moakley added, if a domestic partnership registry was adopted, the fee should be at least comparable to the cost of a marriage license.

The proposed county domestic registry fee is $50, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

In Pinellas County, marriage licenses cost $61, if a couple completes a premarital preparation course. The cost of a marriage license for non-Florida residents or couples who have not completed the marital preparation course is $93.50, according to the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts website.