More than a dozen same sex couples stepped up to register as domestic partners in Orange County July 6, the first day a countywide domestic partner registry became available.
See a Shot on Site gallery of the first day for domestic partner registry through Orange County!
According to assistant comptroller Carol Foglesong, 16+ couples registered at the county offices today, in addition to the total 486 domestic partner registry affadavits recorded since January 16, when a domestic partner regsitry went into effect for the city of Orlando. Orlando’s domesic partnerships automatically will be expanded and covered under the county’s registry. Couples registered in Orlando should call 407-836-5115 to receive updated wallet cards.
Orange County’s registry provides the same protections as Orlando’s: hospital visitation, jail visitation, emergency notifications, guardian decisions, healthcare decisions, funeral/burial decisions and participation in a child's public education.
The Orange County ordinance approving the domestic partner registry also created the HELP program, which allows individuals to select one other person to perform any or all of those functions for them. Additionally, couples who live outside of Orange County can register with the county and will receive all of the registry's benefits while they are in the vicinity of Orange County.
Phil Windsor, 49, and Gary Ashland, 49, were the first couple registered in Orange County. They didn’t plan on being the first, but were pleasantly surprised to find out they were. They’ve been together for 21 years and were married 20 years ago at Joy MCC.
“Hopefully it doesn’t take another 20 years before we’re legally married,” said Ashland.
“We consider this the first step down a long road,” Windsor added.
He said during a recent hospital visit, they were concerned that they would have to lie and claim to be brothers to get visitation. It wasn’t necessary, but Windsor said the domestic partner registry alleviates those worries.
“We can actually have some legal rights and that’s important to us,” Ashland said.
At 10:30 a.m., county comptroller Martha Haynie addressed the crowd in what she said was her first-ever press conference.
“This morning, we can acknowledge and celebrate that now anywhere in Orange County, more families can be protected and respected when they face illnesses, accidents or end of life decisions,” she said. “I am proud and honored to have had a role in this achievement.”
Haynie did mention that the registry is “a new process for us,” adding that there were a few glitches in having the wallet-size cards ready ” but we're working on it.”
Neither Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs nor any of the county commissioners were present at the press conference or celebration.
After Haynie spoke, Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance committee (OADO) members Mary Meeks, attorney, and Randy Stephens, executive director of The Center, set up at a table. Stephens was acting as witness and Meeks volunteered her service as notary. The county registry does not generally provide witnesses or the notary, so registering couples will have to make those arrangements on their own.
As couples got registered, the mood in the room was jubilant, with anyone gathering nearby applauding every time a partnership became official, and one couple shouting, “We are legal!” as they walked off with their certificate.
“Another great day on the road to equality,” said Gina Duncan, MBA president.
“It's an exciting time, just to be a part of it,” said Ellen Hone, 76, who was being registered with her partner Sharon Durrant, 67. The couple lives in unincorporated Orange County and has been together for 33 years.
Hone has a daughter, and said they are looking into also using the HELP ordinance to legally link her daughter to Durrant, should anything happen to Hone.
In addition to registering couples and lots of media, straight allies showed up to celebrate. Sandra Cawthern and Joan Erwin sported bright yellow t-shirts that read, “Standing on the side of love,” which is a public advocacy campaign sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association.
“Our next quest is full marriage equality,” said Erwin.
The women are members of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando.
As couples mingled, waited and celebrated, Glenda Velez, 38, sat in the corner with her 9-year-old son, cradling the 3-weeks old daughter she has with Kristen Reigle, 37, who stood in line waiting for their turn. Velez also has an 18-year-old from a previous relationship. They share a home in Sanford. Reigle gave birth to their two children and Velez is their primary caretaker.
“Were were concerned about the hospital issues and we want to be there for each other's kids, so we need the protection,” Velez said. “Just because you didn't give birth to them doesn't mean they're not yours,” Velez said.
To register in Orange County, couples should go to the official records department of the Orange County comptroller’s office to get their forms or download them from OCCCompt.com. The city of Orlando will notarize registries and provide witnesses, but couples registering via the county are responsible for providing a notary and two witnesses. Orange County's registry is cheaper, though”$18.50 compared to Orlando's $30. It was previously reported that the county’s would cost $10 but fees were increased because it became a two-page document.
