Salt Lake City
Prefers "Mutual Commitment"

Legislators in Salt Lake City no longer approve of the term "domestic partnership" and are now leaning toward a more inclusive title: "mutual commitment."

The Deseret Morning News reported Tuesday that Salt Lake City mayor Ralph Becker suggested this name change to appease unhappy legislators who argue that the term "domestic partnership" is inconsistent with Utah's constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. "This name change does not impact the essence of the registry," he told the News.

The guidelines for receiving a mutual commitment license have not changed. Both members must be over 18 and in some type of committed relationship in which they are responsible for one another's welfare, including financial interdependence, and are competent to share a primary household in Salt Lake City.

Executive director of Equality Utah Mike Thompson told the News, "What I think is most significant is that Salt Lake City as a municipality has seen the value in recognizing all types of relationships."

The Salt Lake City council will consider the registry name change at its April 1 meeting. (The Advocate)