The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously today to approve the creation of a domestic partner registry. Three members were absent, but the remaining six–including mayor Phil Gordon–took a stand for true equality. It’s hardly made the news, but I’ve not missed it.
This means that since we cannot marry, gay and lesbian couples can register as “domestic partners” and get the same rights and benefits as married couples (for the most part). Straight couples have this option available as well, but it’s primarily aimed at GLBT couples because marriage is not an option. Hospital visitation rights are a big factor in this. Most hospitals have strict rules regarding visitation, especially in emergencies; it doesn’t make sense for a person to carry around a legal document defining who they want to see in those circumstances, and the registry takes care of that issue.
Let it not be said that Arizona is so conservative that it’s intolerant.
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2 responses so far ↓
airforcewife // December 18, 2008 at 8:26 am
It’s a step, and a good one.
It also solidifies the exit polling done in many places that gay marriage has been on the ballot – that such measures would have passed (even, apparently, when on the ballot in Oklahoma!) if it were termed “civil union”.
John in CA // December 18, 2008 at 10:35 am
This is how the battle is won. Step by step. Where I live we got what you all have years ago. It eventually lead to statewide Registered Domestic Partners. RDP in California does not provide any Federal law protection. This is not a good thing. But it does provide every protection California can give. It is also a step towards Federal protection.
All of the above happened with very little fanfare, very little opposition, and the people accepted it.
I get raked a lot when I say this and I don’t care. Calling your partnership with someone else a legal Marriage won’t make you feel good about yourself. If it did then married straight men and women would all have high self esteem.
Sadly there is a radical element in the gay community that gets into a big row over what to call something. They get this way for all the wrong reasons. These self loathers need to know the government can’t fix their self esteem.