More than 20 people lined up to speak at the March 15 City Council meeting and voice support for a proposed Domestic Partnership Registry”and the council unanimously approved it.
The ordinance creating the registry is modeled after the one created in Orlando in late December and 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,” said Councilwoman Yvonne Capin, who had asked for the proposed the ordinance in February. “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 voice 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 and that he was pleased that the council took was considering it. He said he would sign it into law when it came to his desk.
Mary Mulhern, who served as the chair of the meeting, said that she was pleased there were none in attendance speaking out against the ordinance and added that the city council offices had not received any negative phone calls or e-mails following Capin's proposal in February.
“For something that could have been controversial”it wasn't,” Mulhern said before asking for a vote. “The community realizes this is the right thing to do.”
While it was expected that the council would approve the domestic partnership registry, residents of the city”and Hillsborough County”wanted to ensure that the council members had their support.
“My partner was on life support last fall,” Kurt King told the council. “We had legal documentation but I had to go back home three times to get the power of attorney paperwork.”
King, who operates Hamburger Mary's in Ybor City, said that a registry would prevent similar confusion for other couples.
John Desmond, president of Tampa's chapter of PFLAG, said that a domestic partnership registry provides basic rights that married couples take for granted.
“I speak for tens of thousands who consider an LGBT person a loved one,” he said. “That includes my son and his partner. My wife and I want the best for them and this is a huge step in the right direction for Tampa.”
But it wasn't just the personal stories of partners and family members that encouraged council members to vote in favor of the registry. There was also an argument that approving the ordinance was just good business.
“If you want to see businesses expand into Tampa, the domestic partnership registry is essential for that,” said Mariruth Kennedy, president of the Tampa Bay Business Guild. “The DPR makes doing business easier for businesses.”
Cathy James, who lives in the City of Riverview in Hillsborough County, took time to thank the council for considering the registry and hoped that the county commission would follow suit.
“As a resident of the county I thank you for your leadership,” James said. “I hope your leadership will rub off on others in the county.”
The first reading of the ordinance passed 5-0, with Charlie Miranda and Lisa Montelione absent. The second reading of the ordinance is April 5.
