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Loading ...Cleveland mulls gay partner law
11.11.2008 4:17pm EST
(Cleveland, Ohio) A draft ordinance has been filed in Cleveland City Council to create a domestic partner registry. If approved, it would make the city the third in Ohio to have such a registry for same-sex couples.
The legislation was filed by Councilman Joe Cimperman. He said it would help Cleveland’s bid to host the 2014 Gay Games. The cash strapped city is anxious to host the games, estimated to bring in millions of dollars from LGBT athletes and fans from around the world.“We are trying to show that we are a serious city when it comes to tolerance,” Cimperman told The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The partner registry has the support in principle of Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson, although he said that he wants to review the measure to be sure it does not conflict with Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriage.
The registry would be open to all same-sex couples who live in the city. They would have to show they are in an interdependent relationship and live together. Each partner would have to be 18 or older and attest they are not already married.
It would not require city government or private businesses to provide spousal benefits to same-sex couples, but it could be used as proof of a relationship at those companies which do offer partner benefits.
If the measure passes, it would make Cleveland the third city in the state to have a partner registry.
In 2003, voters Cleveland Heights approved a partner registry. A conservative council member sued to overturn the vote, but lost in court and was defeated in the next election.
In 2008, Toledo City Council approved a similar registry.
Is this a serious attempt to show tolerance or just a move by a cash strapped city anxious to bring millions of dollars from LGBT athletes and fans from around the world by hosting the 2014 Gay Games? I would hope they are sincere in their effort and not looking for a source of revenue.
I live in Ohio and yes this would be a small step yet it is still like the devil just giving you a glass of ice water so he can pay for his air coniditioning bill.
Guy in SF, you do not know Ohio very well. It’s very divided. You can almost draw a line just South of Columbus. The southern part of the state is very intolerant and the middle to upper part of the state is very welcoming.
How do I know this? I was born and raised in Cincinnati (Southern Ohio) and graduated from Ashland University (Northern Ohio)
P.S. – If you want to go to an absolutely beautiful Midwest city that is gay friendly, check out Columbus Ohio.
I live in Ohio and yes this would be a small step yet it would still be like the devil giving you a glass of ice water just so he could pay his air conditioning bill.
Although I certainly appreciate Councilman Joe Cimperman’s proposal, and I do believe he’s trying hard to be gay friendly, he really needs to stay away from that word “tolerance.”
I’m here to be accepted, not merely tolerated. If someone can only muster tolerating me (like that idiot governor in Alaska), they can just go #%&@ themselves.
What the hell people? As a Canadian, I have to say that is totally disgaceful. You guys need to fight, like we did up here, for marriage. Not for a registry. you need to react with anger to this idea.
Trace, I have been to Ohio (Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus) many times. I have friends who live in the Cincinnati and Cleveland areas. If the 2014 Gay Games are held at Cleveland I would like to take my straight friends who live near Cleveland.
My point was the registry should be created for the correct reason and not just to attract gay venues for the revenue they generate. I apologize if you felt I was bashing Ohio, I wasn’t. By the way our straight Ohio friends are 60ish Catholics and do not tolerate us, they accept my partner and I as a couple.
The only reason Cleveland is doing this is because of how desperate the city it. Record unemployment and foreclosures and bankruptcies, the largest exodus of any city in the country, and the fewest graduating in high school of any school in Ohio from a terrible school system does not bode well for a city. The city is almost rock bottom at this point and to maintain what little shred of life there is left, this bid for Gay Games is the last bit of hope for the city.
This registry is indeed just to appeal to the committee in choosing the city to get the Games here. I don’t think this token gesture will work. Keep in mind this county was the one that voted Yes on the same-sex marriage ban in 2004 by a vote of 85%. Tolerance is not found here.
And I don’t think this registry is anything more than a shopping list for bigots to attack. The amendment that passed in Ohio in 2004 was one of the most sweeping same-sex bans yet:
“Article XV
Section 11. Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage. ”
Meaning any benefit that a married couple has would only for a married couple. Power of attorney, visitation rights, filing taxes jointly, anything that is “automatically” granted to a heterosexual married couple cannot be given to any other group of people. This registry will do nothing but list who’s out in the city, which will accomplish little outside of giving bigots targets to shoot for.
I did not realize that Cleveland voted 85% in favor of the ban on same-sex marriage. Is this true? If so, I certainly do not think the Gay Games should go there.
Jay,
http://www.uselectionatlas.org/WIKI/index.php/Ohio_2004_Issue_1_(Gay_Marriage_Amendment)
Sorry Jay,
http://tinyurl.com/6b2fuj
What county is Cleveland in? I couldn’t see a county that voted 85% in favor of the ban. Lake seems to be the closest to that number. In any case, if Cleveland voted 85% for the ban, Gay Games definitely should not go there. How about some place in Massachusetts or Connecticut?
I wonder about the accuracy of the information in that article. Note that Adams County is listed as having voted almost 50-50 on the issue, but the actual vote was 8700 yes and 731 no. In any case, I think it would be stupid to hold the Gay Games in a city that has so overwhelmingly rejected gay people.
The city of Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs are a wonderful place to live, work and play. I moved from S.F. to get away from all of the “the world revolves around us” ideology that permeates S.F. and much of California. Those that live in glass houses should not throw stones! From the sounds of this article you all are not living in wonderland…
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2008/11/chaos-in-san-francisco-as-anti-gay.html
Wake up! The people of the state of California just denied you the right to marry, again! If your own self worth is so low that you have to try to put down a city (Cleveland) that is honestly trying to make a difference, you should seek therapy.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cleveland Synergy Foundation Contact:
W Douglas Anderson
President
216-583-0833
Email: information@clevelandsynergyfoundation.org
Rodeo Sporting Event Added to Cleveland Bid for Gay Games 2014
CLEVELAND, Ohio, December 9, 2008 – In an effort to secure the opportunity for Cleveland to be the host city for Gay Games IX and increase the broad-base appeal of the event, Cleveland Synergy Foundation today expanded its proposed sports events to include a rodeo through a partnership with the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). This marks the first time in the Gay Games twenty-six year history the IGRA has been engaged to produce a rodeo for the event.
“We are pleased to support Cleveland Synergy Foundation’s bid to host the Gay Games in Cleveland,” remarked IGRA president, Brian Helander. “This provides an opportunity for the best amateur rodeo athletes in the world to compete in this internationally recognized event.”
Boasting more than 5,000 members across the United States and Canada, the IGRA represents one of the largest LGBT organizations in existence. The IGRA joins local supporters including the City of Cleveland, Cleveland City Council, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Positively Cleveland in Cleveland Synergy Foundation’s initiative to secure the Gay Games IX in Cleveland.
“We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the IGRA in our effort to make Cleveland the home for Gay Games 2014,” commented W. Doug Anderson, co-founder of Cleveland Synergy Foundation. “The inclusion of a rodeo enhances our bid to host the event and helps build Canadian participation through IGRA’s strong membership base.”
Gay Games IX will be held in 2014 and will include more than thirty sporting and cultural events. More than 12,000 participants and tens of thousands of family, friends, fans, and spectators are anticipated to travel to the host city for the event. Past Gay Games have yielded a significant economic impact to host cities, with estimates ranging from $60-$80 million.
About Cleveland Synergy Foundation
Cleveland Synergy Foundation is a public benefit corporation organized and operated to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the greater Cleveland LGBT and Straight communities by attracting and creating significant cultural, athletic and benevolent events and festivals.
Please visit http://www.clevelandsynergyfoundation.org for more information.
About the International Gay Rodeo Association
The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) is an organization comprised of numerous regional Gay Rodeo Associations from across the United States and Canada. IGRA, in collaboration with member associations, assist these associations in raising and donating thousands of dollars to charity in their communities each year. The Gay and Lesbian Communities of the United States and Canada have been enriched by the educational efforts of IGRA through its sanctioning and sponsorship of the various events and activities which are a part of what we call “Gay Rodeo”. For more information, visit http://www.igra.com.