Phoenix’s domestic-partner registry opens on Monday for couples wishing to make their relationships at least somewhat official.

The registry opens at 9 a.m. Monday at Phoenix City Hall. Registration will take place in Assembly Room B throughout the week before moving to the City Clerk’s Office on the 15th floor.

The registry grants the right to visitation with a domestic partner in any health-care facility in Phoenix. The registration also could be used to demonstrate a domestic partnership to employers or others who offer benefits to employees.

 See Phoenix’s domestic-partner registry debuts
Arizona Republic, AZ

Just weeks after voters approved amending Arizona’s Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman, some gay-rights activists already are looking toward 2010.

A man who champions equality for gays in the United Kingdom has traveled here to launch a drive for a ballot initiative that would establish civil partnerships, which since 2005 have allowed British same-sex couples to legally register their relationships.

“We’re not fighting for marriage; we’re fighting for equal rights,” said Gino Meriano, whose business, Pink Weddings, arranges commitment ceremonies and provides free legal advice for gay couples wishing to establish civil partnerships.

 See Activists in Arizona resume gay-rights fight
Arizona Republic, AZ 

Just a month after Arizona voters passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage, the state’s largest city is poised to create a program that would grant hospital-visitation rights to unmarried gay or straight couples who live together.

The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday will consider making the city just the second in Arizona to offer its residents a domestic-partner registry.

Tucson launched a similar program in 2003.

 See Phoenix domestic-partner registry in the works
Arizona Republic, AZ