December 14, 2011 | Sex & Society

Orlando extends some marriage rights to gays

In a very progressive move, Orlando City Council has voted to approve a domestic-partnership registry, becoming the first city in Central Florida to do so. The vote, taken on Monday, was unanimous. 

Starting January 12, couples, same-sex or not, can record their relationship in a government database for $30. This will then afford couples many of the rights already enjoyed by married people, including the ability to visit a partner in the hospital or jail, to make health care decisions, and to make funeral plans. These protections, of course, are only available within Orlando city limits.

Mayor Buddy Dyer hailed the approval of the registry, and Commissioner Patty Sheehan said she plans to register with her partner.

"This is an historic event for Orlando, and it is a monumentally important event for our community. It will be the first time in our lives that our families are recognized by our government," said attorney Mary Meeks, who helped push for the registry. "At least here in Orlando, our relationships are recognized as real, and they are valued and they are accepted."

Opponents of the move have already started to complain that it violates state law, which bans same-sex marriage and similar unions. At least the people at the Florida Family Association can stop harassing Muslims now and get back to their core business of oppressing the gays.

Gays praise Orlando's approval of partner registry [Orlando Sentinel]