|
 Salt Lake Passes Partner Registry
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: February 6, 2008 - 5:00 pm ET
(Salt Lake City, Utah) Salt Lake City Council has
unanimously approved a proposal for a citywide partner registry. It will be
available to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples who cannot or chose not
to marry.
Despite being the home to the Mormon Church and
in one of the nation's most conservative states, Salt Lake tends to lean left
and a majority on city council say they will support the plan.
A number of councilors worked with Mayor Ralph
Becker on the wording of the ordinance to make sure it complies with Utah's
constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
Becker had made the registry a campaign promise.
Much of the bill's language was taken from a 2006
ordinance extending insurance benefits to adult designees of city workers.
That measure already has passed judicial scrutiny.
A spokesperson for the mayor said that it
conforms with Utah state law granting cities the power to "preserve the
health and promote the prosperity, improve the morals, peace and good order,
comfort and convenience of the city and its inhabitants."
Nevertheless, some state legislators say they
intend to scrutinize the ordinance to be sure it does not violate the
constitutional amendment. If they believe it does not, they've threatened to go
to court.
State Sen. Chris Buttars (R)has proposed
legislation to block the registry and dismantle partner benefits to the domestic
partners of city workers.
The registry would be open to adult unmarried
couples who live together in an interdependent relationship. They would
register with the City Recorder's Office and receive a certificate.
Becker said that the certificate could be used to
affirm a relationship to be eligible for domestic partner health insurance at
companies that officer such plans.
Registered couples also would have visitation
rights at city hospitals when a partner is ill and it would give partners family
rights at facilities operated by the city.
©365Gay.com 2008
|
Entertainment
