Voters in Ohio Create Domestic Partner Registry
Cleveland Heights, OH - November 4, 2003 - In an historic victory for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, voters in Cleveland Heights, OH, today voted overwhelmingly in favor of Issue 35, a measure establishing a domestic partner registry. (With 98% of the vote in at press time, the count was 55% in favor, 45% opposed). While domestic partner registries exist in more than 60 localities across the country, today's win marks the first time a domestic partner registry - or any other pro-gay measure - has ever been adopted through a ballot initiative. A dynamic collaboration between Heights Families for Equality (HFE) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force helped secure the victory.

'This is a landmark victory for our movement,' said Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman. 'With the extraordinary dedication of the people involved with Heights Families for Equality, we were able not only to turn back anti-gay attacks but convince the majority of voters that our families deserve recognition.'

'The Task Force was essential to our victory in Cleveland Heights,' said David Caldwell, the leader of Heights Families for Equality. 'Their organizing and training staff brought critical organizing and voter ID expertise, and their financial support carried us through some tough times.'