The Orlando City Council has approved a domestic partner registry in a 7-0 vote. About 100 people, most wearing red to signify their support for the registry, attended the Dec. 12 meeting at Orlando City Hall. The proposal was discussed for about 90 minutes, with about 20 speakers voicing their support for the registry. Just one speaker spoke against the measure.
The registry defines domestic partnership, outlines the registration process and provides an overview of protections provided within a domestic partnership that has been recognized by the city of Orlando. Those protections include hospital visitation, rights to health care decisions, correctional facility visitation, rights to funeral/burial decisions, guardianship and the right for both domestic partners to participate in the education of their children.
The registry goes into effect Jan. 12. It will cost $30 for a basic registration, plus costs $5 for an extra copy, $10 for termination and $10 for amendment, such as a change of name or address.
