Domestic Partners Registry bill filed

State Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) has filed a bill which would create a statewide domestic partnership registry.  This would eliminate the need for localized propositions and would add â┚¬Å”partnershipâ┚¬Â as a relationship status option on state forms.

The registry idea is geared to offer more legal tools for same- and opposite-sex domestic partners who have to deal with medical emergency, end-of-life, school and other relationship issues that arise.

â┚¬Å”A majority of Americans and Floridians support recognition for same-sex relationships,” said Senator Sobel in a statement. “So many other Floridians are in long-term, unmarried relationships it no longer makes sense for the state to have just one category – married and everyone else.”

The Bill (Senate Bill 166) is slated to be heard in the 2012 Legislative Session which will begin in January due to the redistricting process.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and great advocates like Florida Together to help Florida take this needed step forward.” Sobel said in a statement. “All Floridians deserve to be recognized and counted.”

Domestic partnership recognition already exists in many communities throughout Florida. Currently, Orlando attorney and civil rights advocate Mary Meeks is working on a county-wide Domestic Partner registry bill, which she states would apply to all couples, gay and straight.

â┚¬Å”I applaud anybody who has the drive to take on this initiative,â┚¬Â she said. â┚¬Å”We need to engage the entire community – gay and straight – and educate them on the value and necessity of this bill,â┚¬Â she said.

Florida Together, along with more than 80 other LGBT organizations,  are continuing to propose and support new and stronger registries at the local level as well as major policy change benefiting equality in Florida.

â┚¬Å”Even though our community does not have a track record of success in the legislature, it's important that our friends keep fighting for us,â┚¬Â said Michael Kenny, Executive Director of Florida Together in a media release. â┚¬Å”Having a bill filed is a long, long way from creating law, but as they say, even the longest journey begins with a first step and we are proud to have Senator Sobel start this journey with us and for us.â┚¬Â