Domestic Partner Registry

I had a "quizzer" the other day. That's one of those people you meet going door to door that wants to question you on your stances, your knowledge, your general qualifications as a candidate. I find it a great opportunity to make an impression. This particular voter asked me what I would do if I was presented with a difficult vote regarding the domestic partner registry or with regards to gay rights in general. I cut him off and said it wouldn't be difficult at all. I basically told him some of my most ardent friends and supporters happen to be gay and that the domestic partner registry must be defended. He then informed me "Good, because I'm gay." I laughed and told him he had slipped under my gaydar. He was very proud of that. "You didn't think I was going to ask you that question and let you know ahead of time I was a gay man, did you?" Sneaky, sneaky! Coverage of domestic partners is the fastest growing trend in health care plans in the United States. On Aug. 28, 2003, the City Council voted to provide domestic partner benefits, which cover opposite-sex and same-sex partners of city employees in committed relationships. Kansas City joined major cities including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles in recognizing the need to care for all employees regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. Recruiting top talent to work for the City can be difficult. In a lot of cases we cannot compete in terms of salary. Where we can compete is tolerance, working environment, benefits and a general attitude that your orientation has nothing to do with your job performance. I have no intention of letting those who would attempt to remove KC's domestic partner registry succeed. GLBT people are part of our community. They are our neighbors, our friends and our coworkers. They purchase goods and services, they pay taxes, run businesses and participate in our community just like everybody else. My latest Issues paper echos the sentiment of this post. And as Forest Gump would say, "That's all I have to say about that."