Two Florida cities may soon recognize domestic partnerships. Cape Coral and Boynton Beach are both looking to extend benefits to same-sex couples.
Dozens of same-sex couples gathered on July 28 at a Cape Coral City Council meeting where leaders discussed and agreed to consider an ordinance to establish a domestic partnership registry, News-Press.com reported.
If the ordinance is approved, domestic partners would be given seven basic legal protections after registering their partnership with the city. Some of those protections include being able to be a part of funeral arrangements and hospital visits if their partner is sick or injured.
“One thing that happened recently opened my eyes even more when my partner was involved in an accident,” Carlos Rivera said to News-Press.com. “I was (initially) denied entrance. Luckily, the lady at the front counter stepped in and allowed me to go in and be with him. This is something that we all need. I don’t think it’s asking too much just be acknowledged for who we decide to spend our life with.”
Boynton Beach will consider similar protections.
According to a press release from the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, officials in Boynton Beach will soon address the issue of offering employees with domestic partners or same-sex spouses the same family benefits currently offered married opposite gender couples.
These benefits, if approved, will provide spouses with the same assistance that married couples already receive including, medical, dental, life, accidental death and dismemberment insurances.
The policies would also include family sick leave and bereavement leave for 5,200 Boynton Beach residents who identified themselves as unmarried partners living together to the U.S. Census.
“Despite recent court decisions in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida still does not recognize same-sex marriages,” said Rand Hoch, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council in the press release. “Additionally, opposite-sex couples may remain unmarried to allow their children to receive child support from a prior marriage. These families which should be accorded equal treatment and benefits by the City of Boynton Beach.”
City officials in Boynton Beach will be meeting the first week of July to discuss these benefits further.
