Asheville is a cool North Carolina city, and the fact that a city councilman, Gordon Smith, decided to “encourage all committed same-sex couples to register” on that city’s new Domestic Partner Registry, proves that our state isn’t simply filled with closed-minded bigots. Too bad Mecklenburg County doesn’t and would probably never would have this kind of policy or politician.
On Feb. 22, City Council authorized the creation of a Domestic Partner Registry to recognize same-sex relationships.
The registry becomes effective May 2 and will provide a mechanism through which hospitals, businesses, and other entities will have the opportunity to recognize these relationships.
The registry will be administered by the City Clerk’s Office. A $45 fee is required and should be paid at offices on the first floor of City Hall, located at 70 Court Plaza (in the same offices where water bills are paid).
After payment of the $45 fee, applicants must bring the receipt to the City Clerk’s Office, located in room 202 on the second floor of City Hall. Both applicants must be present and must show a driver’s license or other valid form of photo identification.
Both parties will sign an affidavit, which is a public record.
While Mecklenburg County began offering domestic partner benefits this year, it didn’t come without some rabble rousing from Commissioner Bill James — who seemingly hates everything that’s not white, male and straight.
Commissioner Roberts’ position is that ‘taxpayers’ aren’t paying a dime because they are going to add a surcharge to everyone else’s premium. There are roughly 5,000 employees and 1,200 retirees. We (the county) pay the insurance for employees (except for a small amount). If everyone (including employees) have their rates raised then there would be some amount of tax dollars going to subsidize this,” James said.
In meeting about the benefits, James went as far a to question the legality of offering them. He contends — and has for years — that being gay is a crime.
“Homosexuals are sexual predators,” James wrote in one email.
And who could forget this gem?
“Like a whore in church, homosexuals have been on their best behavior because that behavior was illegal and they didn’t want to risk being kicked out …
“I can hear liberals screaming into their monitors: ‘They aren’t predators!’
“I disagree. Go down to the Dowd YMCA and let them show you the ‘red phone’. They had to put it in to stop homosexuals from ogling straight business men in the showers and changing rooms.”
We may be the biggest county and city in the state, but Mecklenburg County has a long way to go to catch up to a city like Asheville when it comes to equality.
This article appears in May 3-9, 2011.
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County doesn’t and would probably never would have this kind of policy or politician.
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