Gulfport residents Jan and Denise Lowe said the passage of a domestic partnership registry would give them some of rights they deserve as a married couple living in Gulfport.
One by one, supporters addressed Gulfport city leaders Thursday during the City Council Workshop and commended them for considering the creation of a domestic partnership registry in Gulfport. Jan and Denise Lowe, accompanied by their family in the audience, approached council with questions, concerns and gratitude. "We’re just like any other family," Denise Lowe said. Denise introduced her wife, Jan, daughter Amber and two grandsons, Jaylen and Jeremiah. "We wanted to make a statement," Denise said. Jan and Denise married nearly two years ago in Connecticut, but say their marriage is not recognized in Florida. "I feel that our rights, civil rights are violated. We are discriminated against. This ordinance, although it would help many …
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Gulfport leaders will discuss whether to adopt a domestic registry ordinance that will grant some rights to unmarried couples that have been exclusive to married couples.
Gulfport's waterfront district is an economic engine for this Gulf coast city. One of the bustling spots is Stella’s restaurant, run by City Council member Barbara Banno and her life partner, Jeanne Kunkle. “We love Gulfport,” said Banno, and the city clearly has welcomed the couple, who wed in Canada in 2006, though their union is not recognized by the state of Florida. So when Banno heard about Tampa's move and passage of a local domestic partnership registry, she started pushing for a similar one in Gulfport. A domestic partnership registry gives couples, gay or straight, the opportunity to register with the City Clerk’s office. A proposed ordinance is on the agenda for a workshop Thursday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall. …
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2401 53rd St S, Gulfport, FL
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DJH
11:56 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Yeah, yeah, yeah - the Libertarian Escape Clause: The government should get out of the marriage business. Well that's not going to happen. Domestic partnership is not equal to marriage and the people who oppose marriage equality for gay people oppose any law which says that domestic partnership is equal to marriage. Local domestic partnership laws are not without effect though. I think they add … more ›