Council Member Kornell, Partner First to Register as Domestic Partners

St. Petersburg Council Member Steve Kornell and Bobby Poth, his partner of three years, helped make local history Thursday.

The couple was the first to apply for legal recognition as same-sex partners under the city's brand-new Domestic Partnership Registry ordinance.

On Thursday morning, St. Petersburg became the latest city in Florida to officially recognize same-sex relationships and domestic partners.

Adults over 18, not blood related and in a domestic partnership relationship, are now able to register with the Office of the City Clerk as part of the city's new Domestic Partnership Registry ordinance.

Kornell and Poth were beaming as they were the first people called to apply.

St. Petersburg’s first official same-sex couple was met with applause as the two  exited the Clerk's office.

Kornell was instrumental in getting the ordinance adopted by the St. Petersburg City Council June 7.

“Things are moving fast,” Kornell said. “Twenty or 25 years ago, gays and lesbians were told to hide or not to be honest about who they are. That is changing, people are changing and that is accelerating.

“The more people know a person who is gay, lesbian or transgender,” Kornell said, “the less afraid they are. It doesn’t hurt us. It has knocked down the discrimination like nothing else.”

In June, the St. Petersburg . The service is similar to one Tampa approved in March. The city has now joined a wave of Florida municipalities, including Gulfport and Orlando, which already began a registry giving legal rights to unmarried partners both gay and straight.

Heavy traffic was anticipated by officials as the registry process began. About a dozen couples filled the St. Petersburg City Hall at 9 a.m. to file affidavits, joined by supporters and journalists.

After filling out a brief application, three couples at a time were called into the office. The whole process took about ten minutes, and cost $30. Each couple received a copy of the affidavit, a certificate of registration and two wallet cards.

Under the new registry, unmarried couples now have a legal right to regard each other as next of kin. Although the state of Florida does not yet recognize same-sex marriage, registered partnerships now have the right to provide, withhold and agree to health care decisions on behalf of their partner. That also means they can visit their mate in the hospital; make arrangements in case of emergencies, funerals and burials; or have a say in the education of a partner’s children.

Todd Richardson, Development Officer for Equality Florida Pinellas was on hand to attend the new phase in the city’s history, as well as lend some support.

“This is a great step for both the LGBT and straight community,” Richardson said, “where we can go to be recognized and get the protections we didn’t have before.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time,” he added.

Although Lisa Meyers and Amanda Patanow married three years ago in a formal ceremony in Massachusetts, they came in to register their partnership. The two smiled and held hands while they waited to have their affidavit officiated by the city.

“We were legally married in Boston," Patanow said. “We had a church wedding with our friends and family from Florida. Now for our city to begin to offer legal recognition of our relationship is a great step.”

Kerry Taylor and Donna Chipman were also in the first group. The pair lives in Kenwood and in October, they will have been together 19 years.

“Finally some recognition,” Chapman said. “Finally.”

Registration is at St. Petersburg City Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and thereafter every week Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No registration will be on Thursday and Friday, due to conflicts with City Council meetings and official business.

The City Clerk recommends calling for an appointment at 727-893-7448. The City Clerk's office is located on the main floor of St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N. For more information, visit the St. Petersburg city website.