Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/190797
ON THE HORIZON Most of the approximately 25 supporters of the countywide registry who attended the County Commission meeting wore red. Photo by Rachel Hackney COUNTYWIDE DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY INCHES FORWARD By Cooper Levey-Baker Associate Editor The Sarasota County Commission took identical except for one section dealing with another step, haltingly, toward creating a reciprocity, a measure that would guarantee partners registered in other jurisdictions the domestic partnership registry this week. same rights as those granted to partners regThe measure, similar to ones already approved istered in Sarasota County. Former Sarasota by the Cities of Sarasota and Venice, would City Commissioner Ken Shelin, who has grant unmarried couples rights such as emer- become the face of the local registry movegency notification, burial decision-making, ment, pressed the commission to include the healthcare visitations and more. It has become reciprocity language. He emphasized the high number of tourists a major rallying point and other visitors who for local LGBT rights Sometimes I think this commission come to the county, activists. worries things to death. sometimes for months County staff presented at a time. Ken Shelin two possible ordiAdvocate Vice Chairman nances Wednesday Domestic Partnership Registry Charles Hines wanted morning, Oct. 9,