CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The nation's first ballot-box recognition of gay and straight unmarried partners shows that people will support direct appeals to treat gays fairly, backers of a domestic-partner registry in suburban Cleveland Heights, Ohio, said. "We didn't do yard signs; we didn't do TV ads. We went out and talked to our neighbors," David Caldwell said after Tuesday's vote, which approved a city-run domestic-partner registry, 55% to 45%. With all precincts in Cleveland Heights reporting in unofficial returns, the vote was 7,600 in favor of the registry and 6,290 opposed. The registry will allow unmarried couples to obtain a certificate from the city stating that they are domestic partners. "It's an affirmation that Cleveland Heights is the kind of community that welcomes everyone," said Caldwell, a spokesman for the pro-registry Heights for Families group. Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, called the vote a historic victory. "It demonstrates when we have face-to-face conversations with Americans, they will vote for basic fairness for gay people," he said. Cleveland Heights councilman Jimmy Hicks Jr., a minister and leading opponent of the registry, said he was disappointed by the vote. "We have a registry that legitimizes a lifestyle," he said. "I don't believe it's the role of municipal government to legitimize a lifestyle, but I guess the people have said I'm wrong." Recognition would not be binding on courts, governments, or private companies. Supporters hope it will make it easier for couples to share employment benefits, inherit property, and obtain hospital visitation rights. Domestic registries have been created by municipal councils or state legislatures elsewhere but not through a ballot issue, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a Washington, D.C.-based civil rights group that tracks such issues in every state. The city council in Cleveland Heights, a community of 50,000, unanimously approved putting the registry question on the ballot. Last year it adopted Ohio's first municipal ordinance giving health benefits to same-sex partners of city employees.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
31 Period Films of Lesbians and Bi Women in Love That Will Take You Back
December 09 2024 1:00 PM
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
These 15 major companies caved to the far right and stopped DEI programs
January 24 2025 1:11 PM
True
Latest Stories
These Blue states are making it easier for transgender people to update their documents
February 13 2025 12:09 PM
These are not ordinary times: How the Human Rights Campaign plans to move forward
February 13 2025 12:01 PM
Democratic lawmakers lead congressional push to reverse Trump’s transgender military ban
February 13 2025 12:00 PM
True
How Sen. Chris Murphy is changing the Democratic Party and holding Republicans to account
February 13 2025 10:03 AM
What is gender-affirming care, who uses it, and do they regret it?
February 13 2025 9:57 AM
South Carolina venue hosts free LGBTQ+ weddings in show of support and protest
February 13 2025 6:00 AM
DOJ drops suit alleging Utah discriminated against trans inmate
February 12 2025 6:56 PM
Army memo sends mixed signals to transgender service members
February 12 2025 5:42 PM
Elon Musk and Sam Altman are fighting — The billionaire beef explained, plus the funniest moments
February 12 2025 4:37 PM