April 5 will be a very significant day for the future of domestic partnership registries cross Florida”and the beginning of one in St. Petersburg.
Nearly two weeks after the Tampa City Council voted to move forward with a domestic partnership registry, St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell is hopeful that his city will follow suit when he introduces the idea at an April 5 city council meeting. Kornell has told several media outlets that he's confident such an ordinance”mirrored after the one currently in place in Orlando and forming in Tampa”will have the support of his fellow council members and Mayor Bill Foster.
“It is something I support and I don't need to be convinced it's a good thing,” Kornell told Watermark in January. “It's a great idea, we just need to figure out how to make it happen.”
Banking on the success of other progressive cities could be the key to making the registry a reality in St. Petersburg.
On March 15, more than 20 people lined up to speak at the Tampa City Council meeting and voice support for a proposed domestic partnership registry”and the council unanimously approved it.
The ordinance allows for registered domestic partners”both same-sex and opposite-sex”to make critical life decisions concerning hospital visitation, medical decisions and more.
“I want to say how pleased I am with such a positive response,” Tampa Councilwoman Yvonne Capin, told the audience at the March 15 meeting. “This reinforces our diversity and Tampa was born of diversity. This is a great place to live and I'm proud we've made this place great”and hopefully now it will be even better for my two-week-old grandson to be raised in.”
Each present councilmember voiced support of the ordinance before the official vote and all applauded Capin's initiative in bringing the registry to the forefront.
“I thought this registry was a great idea,” said Councilman Mike Suarez. “Eleven years ago, Officer Lois Morerro was killed in the line of duty and there was a fight between her partner and the pension board regarding benefits. I am proud to know we'll do our part for taking a step toward equality. The city has no right to say who can and cannot get married, but we have a moral right to provide the services our citizens need.”
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who was not at the meeting, told Watermark that he supports the registry. He said he would sign it into law when it came to his desk.
The first reading of the ordinance in Tampa passed 5-0, with Charlie Miranda and Lisa Montelione absent.
Both the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg offer domestic partnership benefits to city employees. If things go according to expectations, both should have active domestic partnership registries by the summer.
Kornell said a domestic partnership registry speaks volumes to individuals and companies hoping to relocate.
“It says, “Come here, your employees will be welcome,'” Kornell said. “Every time we do something like that, it makes the city and county look good.”
