Forwarded at the request of the author: I saw the Seattle thread and wanted to pass on a bit of what I know (or understand to be true).
>From the Seattle Post Intelligencer: This left-leaning city joined the gay marriage fight Monday, with the mayor announcing that City Hall will recognize unions of gay city employees who tie the knot elsewhere and six same-sex couples suing for the right to wed. Minneapolis has already done part of what was announced in Seattle today. Last year the Council passed (and Mayor signed, authored by CM Scott Benson) an ordinance requiring the City to grant married or registered domestic partners from other municipalities or jurisdictions the same benefits enjoyed by registered domestic partners in Minneapolis (not just employees, but all citizens). Granted, these benefits are few, but I know folks are aware of City efforts over the last decade to grant benefits, including health and others, to domestic partners and the state Supreme Court's decision to disallow this. (Seattle has a bit of a different situation because they do provide domestic partner benefits and King County is working on gay marriage - In Seattle the county, like Hennepin County, issues marriage licenses.) Laura Sether, Office of Mayor Rybak REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
