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Orlando, Fla., city council unanimously approves domestic partner registry

Orlando, Fla., city council unanimously approves domestic partner registry

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando City Council on Monday voted unanimously to enact a domestic partnership registry, as the city became the first in Central Florida to recognize relationships of same-sex couples.

The registry, which takes effect January 12th, will extend vital legal protections to gay and lesbian families.

When the registry goes into effect, any unmarried couple who lives, works or visits Orlando can gain the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner, be notified in a life threatening emergency, visit a partner in a health-care facility and participate in the education of a partner’s children, according to Equality Florida.

The proposal was discussed for about 90 minutes, with about 20 speakers voicing their support for the registry. Just one speaker spoke against the measure before it was approved by the council by a vote of 7-0.

“I support the domestic partnership registry because I believe it keeps us competitive with other world-class communities,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

“A domestic partnership registry helps us recruit employers who share our commitment to diversity while attracting and retaining a creative workforce that knows they’ll have protections for their families,” said Dyer.

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