The tiny Atlanta suburb of Avondale Estates, packed per capita with the gays, approved a domestic registry on Monday so they can keep track of all those same-sex couples (and straight ones, too).
Mayor Ed Reiker (photo) announced the move in a press release issued by Georgia Equality.
On Monday, July 22, 2013 the City of Avondale Estates Board of Mayor and Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution to provide for the official recognition and registry of same-sex, as well as, opposite sex partnerships, residing within the City. Avondale Estates is one of the first cities in DeKalb County to honor and respect these partnerships and one of a handful of cities within the state of Georgia to take such action.
“The City of Avondale Estates is a diverse city.” stated Mayor Ed Rieker. “Adding this new service for our residents is a means of showing respect and recognition to the many couples we have living in our City that may want to receive a Domestic Partnership Certificate.”
Residents will be able to request a Domestic Partnership Certificate at City Hall during normal business hours and be entered into the new Domestic Partnership Registry. Pursuant to the resolution the couple will then be issued a Certificate of Domestic Partnership signed by the Mayor. This Certificate may make it easier for couples to show evidence to receive healthcare benefits, gain hospital visitation rights and access to other rights afforded to married couples.
Georgia Equality applauded the city, Reiker and gay state Rep. Karla Drenner, whose legislative district includes Avondale Estates.
Georgia Equality congratulates Avondale Estates on becoming the fourth municipality in Georgia to establish a domestic partnership registry, which will allow the city formally to recognize both same-sex and opposite-sex couples with limited benefits.
Avondale Estates ranks 12th in the U.S. for gay households per 100,000 residents, but failed miserably in a scoring of its LGBT policies.
Atlanta, Fulton County and Athens-Clarke County offer domestic partner registries, according to Georgia Equality. Last week, the Atlanta City Council reaffirmed that “gender identity” is included among protected categories in its non-discrimination policies and city codes.
