Domestic Partnership Bill On Hold; Equality Florida Reacts
The bill's sponsor put the statewide domestic partnership registry plan on hold after lawmakers expressed concerns about its constitutionality. St. Petersburg approved its own registry last June.
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St. Petersburg couples have been calling for a statewide domestic partnership registry since City Council unanimously agreed to create a registry last June. Now, the opportunity to allow gay and straight unmarried couples some of the legal benefits of marriage at a state level has been stalled in committee.
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the Florida Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs tabled a bill that would create a statewide domestic partnership registry.
According to WFSU Media, lawmakers expressed concerns about its constitutionality.
Sen. Nancy Detert (R-Venice) said she supports the idea of allowing all couples certain rights, like hospital visitation, according to the report. However, she is concerned about its constitutionality because it grants all rights that married people have to domestic partners, according to WFSU Media.
Other opponents of the bill said it was immoral to blur the line between marriage and other relationships, the report stated.
As a result, sponsor Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) put the bill on hold and plans to rework it with perhaps a narrower definition of domestic partner, like the ones passed in Sarasota and Tampa, the report said.
Local advocates are disappointed in the result.
Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida shared the following statement with Patch.
"People from around the state gave compelling testimony on the need for protections. It is disappointing that the bill was not moved forward. We will call on those who say they would support a different version to keep their word and help craft an amendment that provides these essential protections."
What's your reaction, St. Pete? Post a comment below and join the converesation.
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Jack Sprat
10:01 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
"....concerned about its constitutionality because it grants all rights that married people have to domestic partners, according to WFSU Media."
Article I Section 27 of the Florida constitution:
Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.
Woody Richey
10:37 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
The listed coment from Sen. Nancy Detert was interesting. While she thinks that this bill gives registered domestic partners all the rights of married couples, it does not. It would be nice if it could, but it does not.
Only the Federal Government can do that. No State Legislator should think that any state bill could grant what only the Feds. could so accomplish.
As for the elderly. Many live in domestic bliss sans marriage as they have SSI income and pension benefits that would all be disrupted by a marriage license. These are not people living in posh surroundings, but merely keeping their heads above water. Yet they cannot change their marital status for fear of being destitute. The AARP backs this bill. Are you listening, Sen. Detert? But then, Venice is rather posh.
Patriot
11:08 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Any bill backed by AARP is not worth supporting!
Diana Kane
2:01 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
What is immoral is for those who disagree to stand in judgement. What is immoral is for those who stand on the bible and act they are God. What is immoral and incomprehensible to me is the individuals who have married and divorced and done it again (ad nauseum) to think they have the right to tell citizens like me who has been in a partnership -with the same person - for 23 years that we are immoral.
It saddens me that people would choose to believe that their brand of love is better or "more right" than mine. Love is love. We are hurting no one. We just want to coexist peacefully. I can't comprehend why those who oppose domestic partnership registries or same sex marriage can't just see past their blinders and recognize love. Just love.