A group lobbying for the city to pass a domestic partnership registry program, which would provide some legal recognition to gay partnerships, has endorsed three City Commission candidates.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Chapter of the Kansas Equality Coalition endorsed Commissioners Boog Highberger and David Schauner and candidate Carey Maynard-Moody.

“All three of these candidates have been clear about their support for the proposed domestic partnership ordinance,” said Maggie Childs, chairwoman of the local group.

The proposed domestic partnership registry would allow couples who are not married to register on a city-maintained list of domestic partners. The registry would make it easier for private employers to extend benefits to domestic partners, if they so choose. It would not mandate that any benefits be given to domestic partners.

City commissioners are awaiting a legal opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office on whether the registry violates a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.