Twenty Same-Sex Couples and One Heterosexual Couple Register As Domestic Partners in Urbana, IL
More than 20 couples in committed same-sex relationships and one opposite-sex couple registered as domestic partners in Urbana on August 31, 2005. The Urbana City Council approved an ordinance establishing a Domestic Partner Registry, on May 2, 2005 by a vote of 6 to 1.
CU at the Altar hosted a celebration for the couples who registered and their families, friends, and allies at the Urbana City Council chambers. Cake, punch, balloons, and festivities marked this historic event.
The registry provides public recognition of the relationship and may be used by a person’s employer to provide domestic partner benefits. The City of Urbana provides domestic partner benefits to registered couples.
“We have lived together for 9 years, own property together, and are committed to each other until death do us part,” said Ginny Sims of her relationship to Janice Lines. “We just got back from our wedding in Canada. Urbana has taken a step in the right direction. Now it is time for the state to follow suit and provide marriage equality.”
CU at the Altar is a Champaign-Urbana based grassroots group working toward marriage equality for all Illinois residents. In May of 2005, CU at the Altar supported gay and lesbian couples as they applied for and were denied marriage licenses at the Champaign County Clerk’s Office.
For a related story, see:
“Same Sex Couples Denied Marriage Licenses at Champaign County Clerk's Office”
Photos by Nick Mann