Council OKs domestic partners program

After months of analysis and controversy, the Long Beach City Council approved a program recognizing unmarried relationships on March 18 amid a large crowd of divided residents.

The city council voted 6-3 for a domestic partnership program. Council members Alan Lowenthal, Jenny Oropeza, Delano Roosevelt, Les Robbins, Mike Donelon and Jeff Kellogg voted yes. Doug Drummond, Doris Topsy-Elvord and Jerry Shultz voted no. Lowenthal, a Cal State Long Beach professor, introduced the ordinance at the June 11, 1996 meeting that sparked an eight-month controversy.

At that meeting, Councilmember Shultz read a critical statement declaring gays and lesbians as immoral and unnatural. The speech sparked a debate that polarized the city and attracted national attention.

Shultz was passive during the debate only commenting on San FranciscoĠs domestic partnership program and the increased costs associated with it.

Donelon, acknowledging a brother and sister that are gay, addressed the crowd about tolerance and communication with the gay community. Mayor Beverly OĠNeil was adamant about bringing this issue to closure. She allowed only 12 audience members to speak before the council voted on the issue.

"The gay community has a hidden agenda in this game," Said Garon Harden of the Long Beach Ministerial Alliance. "This is a special privilege that should be put on the ballot."

Religious opponents argued that a domestic partnership program duplicates the legal benefits a power of attorney offers. They argued that seniors would not use the benefit as contended.

The supporting coalition of senior citizens, disabled, and the gay and lesbian groups cheered the council's vote.

"This is a validation of monogamous and committed relationships," said C.J. Derby, Domestic Partnership Coalition leader. "I applaud the council for voting on it at such a time as now."