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)