Delray City Commission OKs gay rights measures
By Erika Slife
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Delray Beach - A divided Delray Beach City Commission on Tuesday narrowly decided to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in city government and offer benefits to domestic partners of employees.
The decision comes following a push by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council to change the city's anti-discrimination clause and provide employees in committed, long-term relationships the same benefits it offers married employees. The Commission directed City Manager David Harden, who had strongly opposed the initiatives, to expedite the changes to the city's guidelines.
To qualify for the benefits, domestic partners will have to be registered with the Palm Beach County's domestic partnership registry.
"I do support this," said Commissioner Brenda Montague, whose opinion decided the majority. "I think this is their time and I think we need to get into the 21st century. We've been on the cutting edge for so many other areas and I think we need to step up to the plate with this."
Mayor Jeff Perlman and Commissioner Jon Levinson also supported the initiative. Vice Mayor Rita Ellis and Commissioner Fred Fetzer opposed the measure based on "philosophical differences."
"I do not support this," Ellis said. "I am an employer. I do believe in a legal document that makes people partners."
Fetzer added that he was worried about the costs of adding domestic partner benefits. Both said they do not believe in discrimination of any kind.
The decision was made after Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach Human Rights Council, gave a presentation to the commission.
At times, the discussion turned personal. Commissioner Jon Levinson said he had a gay cousin who was in a loving, long-term relationship. Montague said she gave her support as an African-American and as a woman.
The decision comes on the heels of the Palm Beach County Tax Collector Pete Carney announcing he is extending health insurance to domestic partners. The tax collector's office became the last county agency to offer such benefits.
West Palm Beach and Lake Worth also offer their employees health insurance for domestic partners.
Earlier this week, Harden issued a strongly worded memo to commissioners about why they should not change the city's anti-discrimination policy or add domestic partner benefits. He called it "bad social policy" because it would devalue marriage.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Delray Beach - A divided Delray Beach City Commission on Tuesday narrowly decided to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in city government and offer benefits to domestic partners of employees.
The decision comes following a push by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council to change the city's anti-discrimination clause and provide employees in committed, long-term relationships the same benefits it offers married employees. The Commission directed City Manager David Harden, who had strongly opposed the initiatives, to expedite the changes to the city's guidelines.
To qualify for the benefits, domestic partners will have to be registered with the Palm Beach County's domestic partnership registry.
"I do support this," said Commissioner Brenda Montague, whose opinion decided the majority. "I think this is their time and I think we need to get into the 21st century. We've been on the cutting edge for so many other areas and I think we need to step up to the plate with this."
Mayor Jeff Perlman and Commissioner Jon Levinson also supported the initiative. Vice Mayor Rita Ellis and Commissioner Fred Fetzer opposed the measure based on "philosophical differences."
"I do not support this," Ellis said. "I am an employer. I do believe in a legal document that makes people partners."
Fetzer added that he was worried about the costs of adding domestic partner benefits. Both said they do not believe in discrimination of any kind.
The decision was made after Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach Human Rights Council, gave a presentation to the commission.
At times, the discussion turned personal. Commissioner Jon Levinson said he had a gay cousin who was in a loving, long-term relationship. Montague said she gave her support as an African-American and as a woman.
The decision comes on the heels of the Palm Beach County Tax Collector Pete Carney announcing he is extending health insurance to domestic partners. The tax collector's office became the last county agency to offer such benefits.
West Palm Beach and Lake Worth also offer their employees health insurance for domestic partners.
Earlier this week, Harden issued a strongly worded memo to commissioners about why they should not change the city's anti-discrimination policy or add domestic partner benefits. He called it "bad social policy" because it would devalue marriage.
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