GAY RIGHTS

Gay in a family way

By Noah Bruce

Though the same-sex registry has not yet been discussed by City Council, it looks like the matter will pass when it is proposed by Councilors Karen Geraghty and Peter O’Donnell later this month.

The ordinance would give gay couples in a committed relationship the opportunity to register as domestic partners with the city of Portland. This would allow these couples easier access to marriage benefits with employers. Further, the proposal would give preference to companies seeking a city contract that offer benefits to gay couples.

The ordinance needs five votes to pass. Obviously the ordinance’s sponsors will vote in favor of it and the three councilors we spoke with this week say that though they have not seen the proposal yet, and therefore could not officially comment on it, they did not have a problem with the registry in principle. “I guess I don’t have any objection to it,” said councilor James Cloutier who also noted that most large businesses in Portland and the city already give benefits to same-sex partners, but that smaller employers may not. Relatively conservative councilors Philip Dawson and Jay Hibbard both say they do not oppose the idea of the ordinance, but expressed concern over the part about giving preference to companies that offer benefits to gay couples.

“O’Donnell gave me a heads up to say he was bringing it forward,” says Dawson. “I haven’t seen the full extent of it, but I see it as legitimate. The only thing is. . . I think [giving preference in city contracts] is going too far.”

Hibbard is on the same wavelength. “I don’t think I’m opposed to it, but we haven’t really gotten into it,” he said. “The purchasing side of it bothers me. There are certain ways that might be more detrimental than beneficial.”

With this in mind, it seems reasonable to expect the proposal, which changes Portland’s definition of a family, to pass. It’s possible, however, it will be without the portion than gives preference to companies that offer benefits to same-sex couples.