Tampa Council Approves Domestic Partnership Registry
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| Tampa City Council Chair Pro-Tem Mary Mulhern |
TAMPA (2012-3-15) -
Tampa City Council voted unanimously Thursday to establish a Domestic Partners Registry. Whether same sex or heterosexual, domestic partners living in Tampa will soon be protected and treated like family when it comes to things like hospital visitations and medical decisions.
“We certainly can fill out forms for health care surrogate and living wills, but a domestic partner registry brings value to the city because it brings value, validity and quality to its residents,” Phyllis Hunt, the senior minister at Metropolitan Community Church, told the council adding that it gave value to her 20-year partnership and Toronto marriage which is not recognized in Florida.
So many people wanted to speak in favor of establishing a Domestic Partners Registry that Tampa City Council extended its time for public comment.
Mary Ruth Kennedy, president of the Tampa Bay Business Guild, told council it will help Tampa attract top talent and high paying jobs.
“We often compete with Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami-Dade for that talent and those jobs,” Kennedy said. “A Domestic Partner Registry simply put us back on an even footing.”
Similar ordinances already have been adopted by Orlando, Gainesville, Key West, Miami Beach, West Palm Beach as well as Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Before voting, Tampa Councilman Mike Suarez refuted the argument that the ordinance is a slippery slope toward same sex marriage.
“The ordinance itself specifically says that this is not marriage. The city does not have the right legally to say who gets married and who does not get married,” Suarez said. “But, we do have, I think, a moral right to provide the kind of services that people in this city expect.”
Calling it a good business decision, Chairwoman Mary Mulhern said, so far, Tampa City Council has received more than 900 emails and calls in support of the ordinance.
"We didn’t have one, not one, negative comment about this. We didn’t get emails. We didn’t have people calling us," Mulhern said just prior to the council's 5-0 vote in favor. "This community realizes that this is the right thing to do."
The ordinance still requires a final vote which is scheduled April 5th at 9:30 a.m.
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The reason why there were no
The reason why there were no emails is because there was no move to promote same sex marriage. Anytime someone is in the hospital they want those who are closet to them with them, so to that end, this make sense.
People who bet the house will go as far as they can to make people happy but saying that allowing those who are in domestic partnerships to visit their partner in the hospital will bring in jobs is a stretch.
Let's be UNITED not divided about caring for our loved ones!
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Being gay as well as a critical care/emergency room registered nurse, I have known and/or taken care of so many couples in situations where the "significant other" of a loved one in the hospital had no legal rights to make decisions and/or have any input on their partners health care decisions.
"Significant Other". What an obsolete title during a health crisis. For I have witnessed, the "significant others", become insignificant when it comes to healthcare decisions at the most crucial time of need.
I have been blessed many times when my patient assignment was changed to care for patients that were in a "gay" or "domestic" relationship. I was honored to be able to assist during such an emotional & difficult time not only as a registered nurse, but as a lesbian who understands.
I continue to feel fortunate to have witnessed the stress and angst disappear from a 'significant other' and/or the patient when they knew that there was a healthcare professional that would be compassionate & understanding at a time when they needed to be close to each other. Not defending or hiding their way of life.
The implementation of a Domestic Partner Registry will allow all Domestic Partners, whether straight or gay, the right to legally participate in healthcare decisions. Not just the “legally” married couples.
Although this registry may only be in a handful of cities in the state of Florida for now, it is a FABULOUS start to truly becoming a country that stands up for and supports the rights for all of its citizens!
My hope is for this to be the beginning of a promising start of an actual ‘united country’ promoting the equality of civil rights for EVERYONE.
After all, our country is named the "United States of America". May we all actually become UNITED and not divided when it comes to caring for our loved ones.
Special thanks to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, the Orlando City Commission, all of the Tampa GaYbor District supporters, Carrie West and Mark Carrie, GLBT supporters, Bob Buckman (Tampa Mayor), Steve Blanchard from Watermark, Watermark Online, Joyce Hamilton Henry (West Coast Regional Director of ACLU Florida) Brian Winfield (Manager Director of Equality Florida), Joe Saunders (State Field Director of Equality Florida), Zeke Fread and many many more.....for their ongoing support to create a DPR for Tampa and Orlando as well as the possibility of St Petersburg!
With the continued efforts to gain the understanding and support of the rights of ALL citizens, we can have some hope that the rest of the state of Florida and our country will follow in their amazing courage and leadership.
Good. I think anyone has the
Good. I think anyone has the right to civil union regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation. This is a step in the right direction I think.
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