DP Benefits Approved in Kissimmee

The city commission of Kissimmee, Fla. approved domestic partnership benefits for LGBT city employees Tuesday night, delivering a victory in a conservative area.

According to Equality Florida, the Kissimmee City Commission voted 4 to 1 to extend domestic partnership benefits to LGBT city employees.

Equality Florida state field director Joseph Saunders credited city commission Cheryl Grieb for her steadfast leadership during the effort.

"Mallory Wells, our Public Policy Director and I have worked side-by-side with Commissioner Grieb for months and she has never backed down from pursuing what is right," wrote Saunders. "Even when anti-gay forces threatened to protest, Commissioner Grieb wouldn't be bullied. With her guidance and leadership we began the slow and tedious task of drumming up support on the commission and in the community."