Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Mass. city recognizes gay couples Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 15:07:56 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION \SS (WS) \HD Mass. city recognizes gay couples \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT CAMBRIDGE, Mass. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Homosexual and unmarried heterosexual couples could register at City Hall as "domestic partners" yesterday for the first time to get recognition and benefits previously reserved for husbands and wives. Registering under the city's domestic partnership ordinance, passed in September, gives the couples the same visiting rights at hospitals and jails that are given to husbands and wives. Registration requires just filling out a one-page form at the City Clerk's Office. Partners also can register at schools to get the same rights as husbands and wives regarding a dependent child. The ordinance also allows city employees in domestic partnerships to get the same fringe benefits, such as family health insurance, for their partners and dependents that would be available to married couples. City Councilwoman Alice K. Wolf, who sponsored the legislation, said this city of about 95,000 people was the first in the state to pass such a law, and the 19th community in the country. She said that at a time when people are concerned about America's families, "I feel these relationships that act like families, it's important that we support them. Let's support love and commitment where it is." "I think it's long overdue and it sends the right message," said Chuck Colbert, 37, a homosexual activist who registered with his partner, Jack Wofford, 57. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM