St. Paul ponders domestic partner registry

In an effort to show support for all families, the St. Paul City Council is considering an ordinance to set up a domestic partner registry.

Unmarried couples -- same-sex or not -- who register with the city would receive certificates that could be used as proof of the relationship to employers for benefits purposes or to hospitals for visitation purposes. They wouldn't have broader legal benefits.

"We figured it was time to catch up," said Council Member Dave Thune, who is a sponsor of the proposed ordinance.

A handful of states and more than 60 cities and counties across the country have such registries.

Minneapolis was the second large city in the nation to allow domestic partners to register when it adopted its law in 1991. The law has been used by 1,648 couples to register since its inception, according to city records, although some of them have terminated their registration.

Duluth recently enacted a domestic partner ordinance, as well.

Minnesota cities cannot offer domestic partner benefits to employees who work for them.

A registry is a way for a city to do what it can to recognize all families and make them feel like valued citizens, said Monica Meyer, public policy director of Outfront Minnesota, a gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender advocacy group.

"It's not earth-shattering reform that changes a lot of people's lives but it is important," she said.

Under the proposed ordinance, registrants would need to say that they aren't blood related, are committed to each other, don't have other partners and are "jointly responsible to each other for the necessities of life."

The city clerk would handle the transactions.

Thune said it shouldn't cost taxpayers any money and that couples would pay a negligible fee for the registration, $20.

"It's something we can do to show that St. Paul really does support families," said Council Member Lee Helgen, the other sponsor of the proposed ordinance.

The proposal appears to have broad support among council members.

Mayor Chris Coleman will sign the ordinance if approved, his spokesman, Bob Hume said.

A public hearing on the matter will probably happen in July.

Chris Havens • 612-673-4148