2 Minnesota Suburbs Consider Domestic Partner Registries

ST. PAUL  (AP) - The Twin Cities suburbs of Crystal and Falcon Heights may soon join 11 other Minnesota cities by offering opposite-sex and same sex-couples a way to have their relationships recognized through domestic partner registries.

Supporters say they are an important symbol of inclusion ahead of an upcoming vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage, even if the registries don't have much legal authority.

Minnesota cities can acknowledge the unmarried couples in their communities by registering their relationships at city hall, but cities don't have the power to decide who can marry.

The Minnesota Family Council opposes the registries, but hasn't put much effort into fighting them. Group President Tom Prichard says the organization is more focused on next year's vote on the constitutional amendment.

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