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www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/NEWS16/711060343/-1/NEWS

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Article published November 6, 2007

Domestic partners' registry proposed for Toledo
McNamara: City would benefit economically

Gay couples would be allowed to register their "domestic partnership" with the clerk of Toledo City Council under an ordinance to be introduced tomorrow. Councilman Joe McNamara, a Democrat, said the ordinance does not create same-sex marriage and won't cost the city a penny, but would bring economic development benefits to Toledo.

Businesses increasingly are extending benefits to employees' domestic partners, and a registry would give employers some assurance that people seeking benefits under that heading have a legitimate relationship, he said.

"This is a creative-class-driven issue. Studies have shown a community that's accepting is more attractive to the creative class," Mr. McNamara said. "Something like this helps Toledo's reputation, whether or not it's used."

To read the entire article by Tom Troy of the Toledo Blade, please use the above link.. 

Domestic partnership registry OK'd by Toledo City Council
'Committed' couples may gain recognition of relationship

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By TOM TROY
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo City Council yesterday approved an ordinance making Toledo the first large city in Ohio to offer gay and other unmarried but committed couples the opportunity to register their relationship with city hall.

Under the ordinance, couples will be able to obtain recognition of their “domestic partnership” from the clerk of council.

The purpose of the registry is to create an official list which employers can use to verify their employees’ relationships when they offer benefits to unmarried partners, supporters said.

 entire article ;

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/NEWS16/711140454/-1/NEWS

 

From the Equality Ohio E-Newsletter:

"Toledo's progress under attack - Thanks to the hard work of our friends at Equality Toledo Community Action, the Toledo City Council made history by approving a Domestic Partnership Registry for Toledo residents last week. The measure passed 10-2 and is waiting the final signature of Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner. (Read the Toledo Blade story.) However, Bishop Leonard Blair of the Catholic Diocese of Toledo issued a letter labeled “mandatory reading in all parishes” in which he states that the institution of marriage is weakened “by giving legal standing to lifestyles that are not in keeping with the God-given meaning and purpose of marriage.” It is clear the intent is to put pressure on Mayor Finkbeiner to reject the Toledo City Council’s ordinance. If you live in Toledo, please contact the mayor’s office at 419-245-1001 and express support for the Domestic Partnership Registry and encourage Mayor Finkbeiner to sign the ordinance."

The Bishop's letter can be found by clicking on the link below:

http://www.toledodiocese.org/