KU group supports domestic registry / LJWorld.com

KU leadership group is in favor of proposed Domestic Partner Registry

The 57 member University Senate voted unanimously at its March 1st meeting to support the idea of a Domestic Partnership Registry. Enlarge video

A Kansas University leadership group has weighed in in favor of a proposed domestic partner registry for Lawrence.

The University Senate, made up of 57 faculty, staff and student leaders, voted unanimously at its March 1 meeting to support the idea of a registry.

The statement said the group "appreciates the efforts of the members of the Lawrence City Commission as they work to acknowledge formally the presence of diverse families in our community through the implementation of a domestic partnership registry."

The group also said it "welcomes the enactment of laws, ordinance and practices that strengthen equality, inclusiveness and fairness as pertains to all Lawrence residents."

A KU faculty leader said if there's support for an employee's partner - whether it's a homosexual relationship or not - the person is more likely to stay at KU.

"We felt like this is an issue of acceptance, this is an issue of inclusiveness and nondiscrimination," said Ruth Ann Atchley, an associate professor of psychology who is president of Faculty Senate.

Lawrence would become the first city in the state to legally recognize gay partnerships if the city moves forward with a registry. Being included in the registry wouldn't automatically confer the same legal rights that married couples have, but it would be an official recognition that could make it simpler for some employees to obtain benefits, such as health insurance, for their partner.

Maggie Childs, head of the Lawrence chapter of the Kansas Equality Coalition, said she was "delighted" by the KU vote. She said her group plans to take the proposal for the registry before the new City Commission after the April 3 election.

In the meantime, a bill is pending in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee that would forbid Lawrence from creating a domestic partner registry. The bill was introduced by Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe.

white_mountain 6 years, 2 months ago

Let's go ahead and vote Yes on this thing if it'll get the SLT finished sooner..

.. by the way, whatever happened after they completed their study and the "public comment" period ended some 2 months ago.. any decision made.. YET??

Just curious.. is the job of the City Commission to just float various proposals and then hang out from term to term, mentioning each proposal on occasion?

prioress 6 years, 2 months ago

What a waste of time on a 'nonissue.'

Agnostick 6 years, 2 months ago

Hey, don't knock the process. Hell, it's worked in Washington, D.C. for more than 200 years...

Agnostick agnostick@excite.com

warthog 6 years, 2 months ago

Yeah... what a surprise, eh?

DaREEKKU 6 years, 2 months ago

What SHOULD be done is that Domestic Partnerships should be given the SAME weight/rights/obligations as marriage. In lieu of that, I support this small step towards that. To some of you this may seem like a "non-issue," which I find completely insulting. This is a very large issue if you have to wake up everyday without the same rights as a straight couple. Choose better wordings, your arguments against it are weak.

compmd 6 years, 2 months ago

I would think that the university senate would have bigger issues at hand than manipulating city politics in ways that would affect more than just the university. if the senate can do this, then they can also amend the university rules and regs regarding employment benefits. or do they not think the provost would approve it? for such a hot topic in city politics, I would have thought that there would be some quotes from dr. rick hale, the senate president in here.

Lynn731 6 years, 2 months ago

I have nothing against the idea. That surprises even me. If relationships, besides a man and a woman, are to be recognized it should be done by a legislature or congress. It should be statewide, or nationwide. Gay and lesbian relationships have been around since the beginning of the human race. Up until the past 20-30 years they have been kept well hidden due to fear of all types of adverse repercussions. Now they are more open, and society is more open about the subject. I have come to know a lesbian as a friend. Knowing her has given me a whole different viewpoint on gays and lesbians. If they want their relationships recognized by society, then it should be done. It won't change how many feel about such relationships, so what. For the people that are all up in arms over this, making their relationships public record doesn't condone such relationships. It only recognizes them. Thank You, Lynn

SettingTheRecordStraight 6 years, 2 months ago

Doesn't exactly make me want to cough up $750 million for university repairs.

Wow, STRS. I didn't realize you were footing that bill 100% out of your own checkbook.

Well, hey there, good buddy... if you're going to ignore KU, will you at least take care of the other schools? They so desperately need your help; after all, we completely depend on you alone.

Thanks, Your Highness.

Wow, hawk, that's really enlightened of you.

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Archive for Saturday, March 10, 2007