The registry allows same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples to register their partnership with the city and get certain protections. Those include the right to visit each other in hospitals or make health care decisions for each other. The start of the registry occurs during the same week that the online edition of The Advocate picked Orlando as the nation's second "gayest city." The gay-interest publication cited the domestic registry as a reason. Advocates for the registry are hoping the county that surrounds Orlando follows suit. But Orange County officials have no immediate plans to create a registry for county residents.
Couples turned out in strong numbers and 93 couples have already pre-registered. For a $30 fee, registered couples, gay or straight, get a certificate and two laminated cards, and their names are entered into a government database. Being part of the city registry creates legal leverage so couples can have a say where they've been denied in the past. Domestic partners will gain additional rights when it comes to healthcare, end of life issues, jail visits, and decisions regarding children and their education.
Many want the registry to expand county-wide and were disappointed with recent reports that Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs had indicated she wasn't sure such a registry is needed, because of other legal avenues people can take like powers of attorney or living wills.
