The registry would allow same-sex and opposite-sex couples who share a household to validate their relationship in the eyes of the county -- something that Weinstein and others say is long overdue. "I had benefits during marriage that I took for granted," Weinstein said. "It's hard enough to start your life over again. This law is easing that passage for us."
Weinstein was one of several representatives and proponents of the law who attended a March 30 press conference in which five Democratic Nassau County legislators unveiled the proposed legislation.
Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs said the legislation is "putting human rights first." Jacobs also said that the law would afford not only same-sex couples but those in traditional relationships as well the same right to document their relationships as those in New York City, Westchester and even North Hempstead, which already have domestic partner registries. More than 60 such registries exist across the country.
The resolution to establish a domestic partnership registry for Nassau County was approved 4-3 by the County Legislature's Government Service committee late Monday afternoon. The vote was split among party lines with the four Democrats on the committee supporting it and the three Republicans voting no. The law now has to go through the Finance and Rules committees, with the full legislature expected to vote on the measure on April 24.
Specifically, the legislation, which is also open to opposite-sex couples, would allow partners hospital visitation rights as well as rights to make funeral arrangements. The law also stipulates that domestic-partnership registrations can be voided if the relationships end.
"In a day and age when 43 percent of marriages end in divorce, we need equal rights for non-traditional couples," said Barbara Bernstein, executive director of the Nassau NYCLU, who came to show her support for the law. "This is a signal to the community that new laws are coming."
Prior to Monday's vote, supporters of the registry spoke of its importance for the county and addressed the Legislature.
"A unanimous vote by you will not only be an important step for lesbian and gay men but an affirmation for all of humanity," said Rabbi Jason Klein, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Emeth in Hewlett, who is openly gay.
The Nassau County measure follows the passage of a similar law in North Hempstead, which lawmakers say was the impetus for the current proposal. "Really, it has been a work in progress over the last year or so," said Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside). "After North Hempstead enacted their registry 18 months ago, a constituent of mine brought it to my attention. This makes those laws available to Nassau County residents. Hopefully the majority of the Legislature will see that this is about human rights."
Republicans on the committee expressed concern that the registry would put too much of a burden on the job of the Nassau County clerk, who would be in charge of creating the registry.
But Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) said that only 36 people have joined the registry in the town of North Hempstead and did not think it would create too much of a strain on the clerk's duties.
At last week's press conference, Jacobs said she is confident that the law will pass the Legislature. But it is unclear how many legislators support the measure, with a number of lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, saying that they have not seen the bill and need to review it. At press time, the Diocese of Rockville Centre did not return calls for comment.
County Executive Tom Suozzi also said he wanted to review the law before making a comment. "I am not in favor of gay marriage," Suozzi said in a statement. "I support, however, same-sex couples receiving civil recognition of their relationship. I will need to hear whether there is any real impact of this legislation and what the technical significance of the law is."
Still, Jacobs and others say that they are confident the bill will receive strong support. "I'm hoping for a 19-to-nothing vote," she said.
The bill has the support of gay and lesbian advocacy groups, such as the Empire State Pride Agenda and the Nassau County Lesbian and Gay Democrats. "I think it's going to have a huge impact," said Steve Talon of the Lesbian and Gay Democrats. "It means that our local government recognizes our community."
Talon, who said he married his partner in Canada, added that the measure would also make it clear to legislators in Albany that recognition of gay and lesbian relationships is increasingly being recognized on a local level. "It sends a message to lawmakers that it's not a big deal," he said. "It will certainly help normalize the perception [of same-sex relationships]."
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