This afternoon, the Florida Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs is holding a hearing on the “Families First” bill, which would create a statewide domestic partner registry.
Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) filed the bill in January.
“The state has a strong interest in promoting stable and lasting families, and believes that all families should be provided with the opportunity to obtain necessary legal protections and status and the ability to achieve their fullest potential,” the bill says in a section of legislative findings.
The bill also states that it is not an attempt to circumvent the 2008 provision in the state’s constitution that defines marriage as solely between one man and one woman.
Today’s hearing is the first time a Florida legislative committee is considering domestic partnerships.
According to Equality Florida, the bill’s opponents appear to be spoofing email addresses in order to fake opposition to the bill. This is based on several members of EQFL’s coalition partner, Get Equal, receiving unsolicited responses from Florida legislators thanking them for their email in opposition to Families First.
“Dirty tricks like this reek of desperation,” said Sue Hoffman, New Media Director for Equality Florida, in a media release.”Domestic partnership laws enjoy broad support in Florida and nationally, especially among business communities who recognize the importance of supporting diversity to create a vibrant workforce.”
