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Loading ...Miami Beach vote to reaffirm domestic partnership delayed
12.11.2008 8:52am EST
(Miami Beach, Florida) A move to reaffirm Miami Beach’s domestic partner law has been put off for a month after some LGBT leaders complained the proposal did not go far enough.
City Commissioner Jerry Libbin had proposed the resolution as a means to signify that despite the passage last month of an amendment to the Florida constitution banning gay marriage, the city partner registry is unaffected.It was expected the resolution would easily pass at Wednesday’s council meeting. But at the last minute, Libbin tabled the motion when some gay leaders called it “a band aid.” They want a resolution to include a condemnation of the amendment and a statement of support for same-sex marriage.
Libbin made the decision to put over the resolution until February when no one from the LGBT community showed up at the meeting to support the measure, even though it had broad support from commissioners.
Libbin later told Miami’s CBS affiliate that gay leaders are hurting the community.
“If you’re worried about putting a bullseye in your back, that’s exactly what you’ve done, by causing a whole discussion over something that should have been passed unanimously,” he told CBS4.
Not all in the community supported the move to table to resolution
“Commissioner Libbin made a statement for the LGBT community, and it’s like we slapped him and didn’t accept it,” Miami Beach Resident Sherry Roberts told CBS4. “I think it’s outrageous.”
Miami Beach’s domestic partner registry was passed by city council in 2004. It allows any gay couple, no matter where they are from, to sign the register.
The ordinance guarantees partner rights in hospital care and visitation rights at all healthcare facilities in the city, and provides partner rights in making funeral and burial decisions.
Under a 2005 ordinance companies doing business with the city must provide benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees.
Broward County which enacted a similar law in 1999. The cities of West Palm Beach and Key West also have domestic partnership registries.
In May, the Miami-Dade commission also passed a proposal to extend health insurance benefits and other legal rights to the domestic partners who live with county employees, including gay couples.
The amendment passed in November by Florida voters limits marriage to opposite sex couples and bans civil unions.
The amendment also could be used to deny partner benefits to unmarried couples who live together and Libbin said he fears someone will challenge Miami Beach’s partner registry.
Guess what, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, if you don’t squeak, don’t complain if you don’t get the oil.
If you don’t support a measure, guess what, the commissioners will conclude you the community don’t want it and it’s gone. So, don’t complain if you both failed to support something and it didn’t get done.
Commissioner Libben is just pandering for gay votes in Miami Beach. He is up for reelection and trying to woo the gay community. Shame on you Commissioner for wasting people’s time. If you really want to make a difference for the GLBT community, you should have done your homework like Commissioner Victor Diaz has. Maybe then, the gay leaders who know what’s really going on behind the scenes would have supported you.