Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/104211
Sarasota News Leader January 18, 2013 Page 27 become partners in a domestic partnership to Still, Shelin told the News Leader, he doubts complete and file a Declaration of Domestic such a bill will be passed as long as RepubliPartnership form with the clerk of the circuit cans maintain control of the Legislature. court …." Shelin added that he had not had the opporAlong with Sobel's committee, it was referred tunity to talk with Sarasota County Commison Jan. 11 to the Judiciary, Appropriations and sion Chairwoman Carolyn Mason since she Rules committees, as well as the Appropria- brought up the matter of a countywide registions Subcommittee on Health and Human try last week. Services. In the meantime, he was happy to report that Sobel released a statement saying, "As Bob the Venice City Council voted unanimously on Dylan sang so insightfully, 'The times they Jan. 8 to move ahead with the establishment are a'changin'.' As another year goes by, we of a domestic partnership registry, making it have added more states to the list of places the second municipality in Sarasota County to where all people can love each other equally do so, after the City of Sarasota. and share each other's A Venice ordinance assets. I am aiming for will have to be draftA majority of Americans support the small step of legaled, Shelin said, so he extending benefits to couples in izing domestic partis not sure when it will domestic partnerships. We cannot allow nerships for couples be ready for formal who live together to Florida to be the last state to treat all of adoption. have the same rights its citizens fairly and equally. Shelin also noted that for hospital visitation Eleanor Sobel State Senator in the City of Sarasota, and access to insurFlorida almost 100 couples alance and health beneready have filed for the fits as married Floridians. This would apply to heterosexual, gay, domestic partnership registry since it opened Nov. 6. lesbian, bisexual, or transgender couples." She added, "This bill makes a lasting change in the lives of many Florida families. By keeping couples together through affording them the same equal rights, we are supporting Florida families. We need to support the 'new' definition of Florida families. A majority of Americans support extending benefits to couples in domestic partnerships. We cannot allow Florida to be the last state to treat all of its citizens fairly and equally. I am committed to sponsoring and fighting for this bill until it is heard, passed, and signed by the governor." "I think that's really going well," Shelin added. Moreover, on Jan. 17, Shelin was to talk individually with four of the five North Port city commissioners in advance of their Jan. 28 regular meeting, he said. He already had talked about a domestic partnership registry with North Port City Commissioner Tom Jones, who has taken the lead on the topic with his board. Regarding the legislators, Shelin said, "Time will overtake them eventually." %