Domestic partner registries begin to attract attention

Edina's passage of a domestic partner registry last spring has prompted a burst of interest among other suburbs for similar action.

Bloomington, Richfield, Golden Valley and Robbinsdale are debating or considering such a registry, which would allow unmarried straight and gay people who are in committed relationships to register the bond with the city.

While domestic registries have been criticized as mostly symbolic, they have some practical effect. They allow couples to qualify for family rates at city facilities such as swimming pools. Registering gives couples an official document to use in applying for health insurance benefits with employers that recognize domestic partners. In a medical emergency, those papers may be used to document a relationship to gain visitation rights or make important medical decisions.

Though domestic registries affect both straight and gay couples, the gay community has been especially active in helping cities learn about registries. Phil Duran, legal director for OutFront Minnesota, has been consulted by cities as an expert on the issue. He said the increasing interest among suburbs was "wonderful."

"In each case, these cities have approached us," he said. "It's not our job to go out into the suburbs and stir things up. They want us to help with the conversation."

Duran believes cities are acting because of increasing acceptance of same-sex relationships even as discussion about expanding the definition of marriage has stalled in the Legislature.

"The conversation about how to legally recognize same-sex couples has taken root not only in Minnesota but around the world," he said. "We've had a stalemate at the state level, but people on the ground want to move forward."

In some communities, publicity over Edina's action prompted residents to ask their cities to take similar action. That's what happened in Richfield, where the city's Human Rights Commission has recommended that the City Council create a registry. A hearing on the issue last month attracted about 50 people, some of them gays and lesbians who were longtime city residents, said Molly Darsow, chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission.

"There were families and parents with children who had lived in Richfield for 20 years and who believe Richfield is a good place to live," she said. "But this takes it one step further for them, and they can feel included and recognized."

The Richfield City Council is expected to consider the measure this fall.

While Darsow said comments at the meeting were "overwhelmingly positive" and she is optimistic about passage of a registry in Richfield, it's unclear what will happen in Robbinsdale, Golden Valley and Bloomington. In Robbinsdale, the city's Human Rights Commission has recommended that the City Council create a registry, but at a hearing last month opinions even from Human Rights Commission members were split. Earlier this year, at least one Minnesota city -- Moorhead -- voted down a registry.

In Golden Valley, the city is considering a registry at the request of a resident, said Chris Jordan, chairman of the Human Rights Commission. He said City Council members asked his group to look at a draft ordinance similar to Edina's. The commission, which supports a registry, is considering the wording of an ordinance and is expected to send a proposal to the council this month.

"It's important to give credibility to relationships with companies, especially those that give health insurance to same-sex couples," Jordan said. "And in emergency medical situations where someone will be making decisions, it's another piece of documentation that further legitimizes what your relationship is."

In Bloomington, the city's Human Rights Commission, which discussed the issue after Edina passed its registry, may put a domestic registry on its work plan for 2011. That plan will be considered by the City Council in December or January.

The impetus for that came from City Council Member Steve Elkins. Elkins, who said Bloomington "has never been big on doing [solely] symbolic things," said he decided a registry was worth pursuing after he talked with officials in Edina and had a moving conversation with the first couple to register their relationship with that city.

"They were just so enthusiastic about how much it meant to them," Elkins said. "It's fair to say Edina's action was the catalyst. I had wondered if there is any practical value to people. ... After I spoke to those two ladies, yeah, it matters to people."