Orlando Opens Domestic Partner Registry Jan. 12, 2012 | WMFE - The City of Orlando joined several other cities and counties in Florida last month in creating a domestic partner registry. The registry allows unmarried domestic partners to make hospital visitations, medical decisions, funeral arrangements and jail visits. It gives those couples, gay or straight, some of the rights married couples have. The city's new registry officially became active this morning and a number of couples attended a celebration at city hall in downtown Orlando when the registry opened at 10:00.
Joe Saunders, Field Director for the group Equality Florida, spoke with WMFE about why the group is rejecting Mayor Jacob’s alternative proposal and insisting upon a registry. 90.7’s Tom Parkinson asked Saunders to begin by talking about the City of Orlando’s registry and today’s celebration at City Hall. Earlier this week, County Mayor Teresa Jacobs explained to county commissioners why she has concerns about a county wide registry. Jacobs is promoting an electronic “beneficiary agreement” registry as an alternative. It would allow county residents could designate anyone, not necessarily a domestic partner, as the person they want to have those privileges. Jacobs says she’s not convinced the registry is necessary and wants more time to look into possible legal ramifications for the county. But, she says, she is open to further discussion with rights activists about a county wide registry. Follow this link to see a video clip of Mayor Jacobs explaining her position on the proposed registry to the County Commission on Tuesday, January 10: mms://otv.ocfl.net/otv/mayor/registry comments.wmv
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