Council approves domestic partnership registry

The registry provides rights for any two unmarried, unrelated people.

By Victoria Guida

Published April 7, 2009

City Council unanimously passed the creation a domestic partnership registry Monday, a cause for celebration for the majority of the people present.

The registry would allow two unmarried, unrelated people to jointly share property, get visitation rights in nursing homes or hospitals and receive employee benefits.

This was a major victory for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community, though they are not the only people to which this registry applies.

"What this really means is that this is a public confirmation of someone's commitment to someone else," Third Ward Councilman Karl Skala said.

Mayor Darwin Hindman said the Human Rights Commission of Columbia already approved the registry unanimously, and then opened up the topic for the public to discuss. Various supporters of the registry came up and shared stories of losing their homes or being unable to visit partners in the hospital.

There was only one dissenting voice at the meeting.

"This is an action that will give Columbia statewide and national notoriety," Columbia resident Wayland French said. "There will be political backlash if this is passed."

But many were present to voice their support for the registry.

"We need to learn to talk to each other and understand each other, to love each other," former United Methodist pastor Dick Blount said. "If you really want to know what pain is, let yourself become one of the last outstanding oppressed groups in this country."

After Blount's short speech, many people in the room stood up and applauded, although Hindman told those in attendance such displays of support or dissent are not proper in a council setting.

"We put a lot of time and effort into this," said Mendi Popek, a member of Personal Rights of Missourians and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. "When they voted unanimously to pass it, we were amazed."

David Huddlestonsmith, a Columbia resident who worked as an organizer in the effort to pass the legislation, also stressed this registry applies to everyone, straight and gay.

"We haven't asked for nothing that hasn't already been approved in the Declaration of Human Rights," Huddlestonsmith said.

Also discussed at the meeting was this year's Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival.

In a public hearing, Thumper Entertainment, which is responsible for organizing the event each year, requested additional funding for the event, as well as permission to charge a modest admission fee and to sell alcoholic beverages if it cannot receive the funding.

"With your continued support, we can bring this worthwhile event to life in 2009," Thumper Entertainment partner Steve Sweitzer said.

In a report presented to the council, the company estimates the event attracts about 70,000 patrons and it had an economic impact of $7.8 million for the city last year.

The festival will take place Sept. 25-26.

In addition to these items, the 2009 Renewable Energy Report was approved.

A mandate passed in 2004 requires Columbia Water and Light to release an annual report in compliance with the renewable energy ordinance.

The Environment and Energy Commission have reached 1.7 percent renewable energy, and Water and Light Director Kraig Kahler stressed they would have met the 2 percent goal if not for the unavoidable breakdown of some of their machines. He said the goal could be met and eventually near 5 percent by 2009.

-- Senior staff writer Marty Swant contributed to this report.