A Yes Vote for Equality: Cleveland Votes to Establish Domestic Partner Registry

This past Monday, December 8th, Cleveland City Council voted to create a domestic partner registry for same- and opposite-sex couples. The registry, although nonbinding, could prompt employers, hospitals and other organizations to grant privileges typically reserved for married couples. The registry is also a symbolic gesture stating that Cleveland is a gay-friendly city.

In the past decade, numerous studies have been completed that show that domestic partner registries help to create a more equal society, allowing non-married heterosexual couples as well as same-sex couples to register and potentially obtain benefits. A domestic partner registry does not allow same-sex couples to marry. Studies have also shown that cities deemed to be gay-friendly may also enjoy an economic development advantage. A city's gay-friendly status may help to attract new residents, and also to retain current residents, thus having a direct impact on the quality of life that exists in the neighborhoods of cities such as Cleveland.

Despite intense pressure from some local pastors, who oppose domestic partner benefits on religious grounds, thirteen council members voted to support the registry. The final vote was 13-7.

The legislation was sponsored by Ward 13 Councilman Joe Cimperman. If you live in the city of Cleveland, or care about this issue, please take the time to let your councilperson know how you feel about this legislation. If you support it, please thank those councilpersons that helped to pass this historic legislation.