Tucson, Arizona -
Tucson city council has voted to create a domestic partner registry giving couples, both gay and straight, many of the same rights as married couples.
The legislation, written by Nancy Robinett is an attorney and co-chair of the city's Commission on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, gives registered couples the right to visit partners in health-care facilities in the city and qualify for city discounts, such as family rates at recreational facilities.
It is important for the city to recognize domestic partnerships and for the partners to have a means of recognition, she said.
"It both memorializes that gay and lesbian people are more visible and are more willing to stand up and be counted," she said. "It's part of an atmosphere of more attention to the realities of gay and lesbian life in Tucson."
The registry will be the first of its kind in Arizona.
"I am proud of the City Council for helping to put Tucson again in the forefront in the state of Arizona," said. ent Burbank, executive director of Tucson's GLBT support center Wingspan.
The ordinance defines a domestic partnership as two people:
Burbank said the ordinance is also important for committed heterosexual couples.
"This is a chance also for their relationships to be recognized," he said.
To register, partners must be at least 18 years of age, not be blood relatives or already married, and declare they are each other's sole domestic partner. They must also swear they share a primary residence, are in a relationship of mutual support and declare that they intend to remain in such for the indefinite future.
The registry will be maintained by the city Finance Department. The cost of registering will be $50.
If the partnership is terminated, the couple must file a termination statement with the city and pay $10.
©365Gay.com® 2003
More on ChicagoPride.com: Cook County's Domestic Partnership Registry starts Oct. 1
The legislation, written by Nancy Robinett is an attorney and co-chair of the city's Commission on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, gives registered couples the right to visit partners in health-care facilities in the city and qualify for city discounts, such as family rates at recreational facilities.
It is important for the city to recognize domestic partnerships and for the partners to have a means of recognition, she said.
"It both memorializes that gay and lesbian people are more visible and are more willing to stand up and be counted," she said. "It's part of an atmosphere of more attention to the realities of gay and lesbian life in Tucson."
The registry will be the first of its kind in Arizona.
"I am proud of the City Council for helping to put Tucson again in the forefront in the state of Arizona," said. ent Burbank, executive director of Tucson's GLBT support center Wingspan.
The ordinance defines a domestic partnership as two people:
Burbank said the ordinance is also important for committed heterosexual couples.
"This is a chance also for their relationships to be recognized," he said.
To register, partners must be at least 18 years of age, not be blood relatives or already married, and declare they are each other's sole domestic partner. They must also swear they share a primary residence, are in a relationship of mutual support and declare that they intend to remain in such for the indefinite future.
The registry will be maintained by the city Finance Department. The cost of registering will be $50.
If the partnership is terminated, the couple must file a termination statement with the city and pay $10.
©365Gay.com® 2003
More on ChicagoPride.com: Cook County's Domestic Partnership Registry starts Oct. 1
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
