With practically no opposition, the Town of North Hempstead became the first town in Nassau County to establish a domestic partnership registry. The unanimous 6-0 vote (with only Councilman Angelo Ferrara absent) came at the town's Aug. 31 meeting, where close to two dozen speakers supported the registry and only one spoke fully in opposition. The resolution, which was sponsored by Councilman Wayne Wink, is intended to provide North Hempstead residents with greater access to health insurance benefits, hospital visitation rights and other family benefits.

"Government needs to do all it can to help ensure that everyone has access to affordable health care," said Councilman Wink. "This legislation is an essential step forward in protecting the rights of all couples and will help ensure that everyone will have equal access to the same benefits."

The new domestic partner registry is available to both heterosexual couples and same sex couples, providing specific requirements are met. The fee to file an affidavit of domestic partnership registration is $35. Forms are filed in the Town Clerk's office.

A domestic partner registry has long existed in New York City and several Suffolk County towns including East Hampton, Southold. Huntington and Southampton also have such registries. Similar registries have already been established in North Hempstead, in the villages of Great Neck, Great Neck Plaza, North Hills and Roslyn Estates.

The new town legislation notes that: "Significant changes in our society have resulted in the creation of diverse living arrangements and the emergence of an expanded concept of the family unit. Many persons today live as families in enduring, committed relationships other than marriages. The Town of North Hempstead has an interest in supporting all caring, committed and responsible family units. The town also recognizes that it is in the public interest for persons in committed relationships who share common households to be able to register those relationships formally."

To register, the domestic partners must live in North Hempstead or at least one of the partners must be a town employee. An affidavit must be signed in the town clerk's office further stating the residence or employment and stating the following: neither is married; each is 18 years of age or older; each is competent to enter into a contract; each is unrelated by blood in a manner that would bar marriage in New York State; they share a common household; they are in a close and committed, financially interdependent personal relationship and intend to remain in the relationship; each is the other's sole domestic partner and intends to remain the other's sole domestic partner; neither has terminated a previous domestic partnership within 60 calendar days immediately prior to the filing of the affidavit; and each agrees to file an affidavit of termination if the domestic partnership is terminated.

As Mr. Wink set forth his proposal at the start of the public hearing, he noted that there had been some "misunderstandings" and he offered explanations. Mr. Wink said that the registry would be for all couples, heterosexual or same sex, assisting them in accessing benefits such as health benefits. He emphasized that the registry only facilitates accessing benefits, and does not in any way provide benefits. As an example, Mr. Wink referred to the post-9/11 days when Governor Pataki offered survivor benefits and domestic partners had to scramble to find documentation. Mr. Wink further noted that the New York State Senate has proposed legislation along these lines and the legislation is now before the governor.

During the hearing, Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and council members did state that they had received hardly any opposing e-mails or phone calls. Of the close to two dozen people who spoke at the hearing, only one was against, with two others just voicing certain concerns. One such resident voiced "concerns" over the conferring of a legal status (Mr. Kaiman said "no") and, later, "concern for children" and the "redefinition of family." Another simply noted that he is a Roman Catholic and the Roman Catholic Church opposes a homosexual relationship. He was immediately countered by a woman who said she was also Roman Catholic but believes in the separation of church and state.

The one man who spoke strongly against the registry, Frank Russo of Port Washington, said such legislation would be "counter-productive and harmful to society ... especially children and taxpayers." Later in the evening, speaking in favor of the registry, former town supervisor May Newburger, who found it sad that there is even a need for such legislation, questioned Mr. Russo's concept of a cost to taxpayers. He said that such unions, without marriage, are more likely to fall apart, causing problems for children, problems that would result in more special needs children in the public schools.

The comment that the date was a poor choice, due to the fact that "many who may have other views are in New York tonight," (referring to the Republican National Convention), met with laughter on all sides.

For those who spoke in favor of the domestic partner registry, there was much praise for the town and great emphasis on compassion, on human rights, equal rights and the separation of church and state. One man, who teaches in the town, spoke of the importance to children in recognizing the diverse families that do exist. John Hirsch, long a human rights advocate, was the first to register in North Hills, with his partner of 37 years, Herbert Leiman. Mr. Hirsch told how much easier it was with documentation, when he was recently hospitalized, even though he had to be sure to bring "a sheaf of papers." And Mr. Leiman touched on "the real world" and how the registry is "filling a void in our lives."

Great Neck's Barbara Zeller, self-described as "an old civil rights worker," went back to the issue of children and families, and eloquently spoke of the importance of children learning about "changing families" and "doing the moral, just thing."

Ms. Newburger also spent some time focusing on the Declaration of Independence and further stating the need to accept everyone, treat people equally ("people are created equally") and "honor diversity."

After close to two hours of discussion, the issue came to a vote. Approval was unanimous, 6-0, with only Mr. Ferrara absent. First to speak and voice his "yes," Councilman Anthony D'Urso stated that the registry proposal has been met with "overwhelming support" and he had no concerns that it would in anyway "undermine" the family structure or marriage. With his own "yes" vote, Councilman Thomas Dwyer also spoke of "compelling arguments" and termed the law "good legislation." As he too voted "yes," Councilman Fred Pollack said that he was "sorry that we can't do more" and noted that there was "almost no controversy." Councilman Robert Troiano said that he was "pleased to cast the deciding vote" and was "encouraged by the weight of the testimony."

Councilman Wink, who had brought forth the proposal, gladly added his "yes" and said that adopting this resolution would help "make government important and accessible to people." In a follow-up interview with the Record, Mr. Wink said that he is " very proud of all the efforts of everyone in the town" and that he is very "appreciative of the unanimous support of my colleagues."

Mr. Wink said that "recognizing the existence of these relationships improves the quality of life for those who need it ... and it made it an easy sell for the board."

As for Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, his "yes" vote was followed by praise for Mr. Wink. "I commend Councilman Wink for taking the lead on this issue," stated Supervisor Kaiman. "This is an important piece of legislation for the town."

Mr. Kaiman ended the hearing stating, "This is a proud moment!"