Equality Florida Reacts To Stalling of Domestic Partnership Bill

Just a few months after Sarasota started its domestic partnership registry, a push is being made for a statewide registry for gay and straight unmarried couples to retain some of the legal benefits of marriage.

However, the initiative is stalled in a Florida Senate 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 the News Service of Florida:

“It’s just like a walking lawsuit as far as I’m concerned,” said Detert. “Sad to say, I can’t support this bill today because it’s just too broad.”

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.

In Sarasota, 100 couples registered from Nov. 6 through the beginning of February.

Local advocates are disappointed in the result.

Nadine Smith, a Gulfport resident and executive director of Equality Florida shared the following statement with Sarasota 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, Sarasota? Post a comment below and join the converesation.

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