Tomorrow, the City of Buffalo will initiate (finally) a Domestic Partner Registry!

Wow, someone has not been watching their re-runs of Will and Grace. Gays and Lesbians are supposed to be thin. The float looks more like bars holding them back from the all you can eat pizza&wing bar than partnership benefits.

This whole thing really makes me cringe with embarrassment. In today's world must there still be parades and floats with spandex and leather and all the other stereotypes. I mean if one is fighting to be free of prejudice, stereotypes and labels then does it make sense to have a parade and a float that flaunts exactly those labels and stereotypes.

Society is benefited from all forms of domestic partnerships and they should not have to be sexual in nature. Anyone who makes a commitment to the care taking of another individual performing a service to that person, to their relationship and to the insurance / medical institution / taxpayer that would most likely pay for services that a single person living alone would not be able to provide. People living alone are more likely to all forms of unemployment, isolation, sickness, hospitalization, disability even death. The fact that there is a caretaker with a commitment to another person should not matter whether its a room mate, a relative or an intimate relationship.

Its a shame that Buffalo comes in last on some of these issues but I never found Buffalo to be biased or backwards just parochial unlike Rochester's which is riddled with leftist radicals. Every year its something new in Rochester: women who claim gender descrimination because they cant go topless (ie shirtless) like men, heretics who want to politicize christianity because of women priests, blah blah blah.

Id rather Buffalo be parochial in its own down to earth manner than the politically correct manure that Rochester trots out to the media in an effort to show their progressive. It just comes off as hypocritical as all the marketing that used to come out of their Fortune 500 companies touting diversity. Rochester was never more diverse than anyplace else ... infact ... probably less so since Rochester really isnt a city but a grouping of small suburban and exurban towns trying to be a city. Buffalo on the other had...been there...done that...knows its a city and rather than prejudice...I think Buffalo is just plain corrupt, lazy and parochial.

So I say, does the gay community really need a parade and a float and a protest. Cant it just lobby like everyone else?

If the real goal is a society that is not separated by race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, hair color, shoe size, etc then is it not counter-productive to differentiate your group and demand special rights. Should not rights be justified as rights for all and responsibilities for all and justified for all.

and no one needs to stand guard. Buffalo and Rochester are as different as Chicago or Minneapolis and NYC. For 2 cities less than an hour apart they have very different personalities. I wouldnt expect you to understand the differences being a San Francisco liberal.

a few observations: obesity is an american problem, not a gay one. better stay away from the st. patrick's day parade. lots of big beer guts there. but while we're on the subject, does the irish community really need a parade? can't it lobby like everyone else?

rochester was incorporated as a city in 1830, two years before buffalo.

oh, and about "differentiating your group:" 364 days of the year, irish people, gay people, and everyone else who puts on an ethnic festival go about their lives. they work, sleep, pay taxes, buy groceries. on one day a year they throw a party centered on their history or traditions and our community is the wealthier for it. i can't wait to see what kind of somali festivals we might see in the future as this community grows.

anyway, big congratulations to kitty and cheryl!

I can only imagine the benefit package that City Employees receive.

i love the steadfast and unwavering editorial policies of BR.....

"And to those who will comment here - anonymously of course - to criticize us for this decision, imagine if someone wrote an article about your house or company and anonymous commenters flocked to the story to call you names."
(MARCH 29,2010 ~ Buffalo Rising: Comments, Anonymity and Civility)

MR. NUSSBAUMER ~ TEAR DOWN THIS POST!!!
...OR AT LEAST THE ERRONEOUS AND OFFENSIVE PERSONAL ATTACKS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS POST. WASN'T THAT THE STATED PURPOSE OF YOUR CAPRICIOUSLY ENFORCED 'ZERO TOLERANCE TROLL POLICY'?

Wow, whats next? equal rights for minorities and women? This could be a slippery slope, good thing Destiny is on guard to prevent the leftist liberals over in Rochester from exposing Buffalo to tolerance and justice.

Destiny:
Wow, someone has not been watching their re-runs of Will and Grace. Gays and Lesbians are supposed to be thin. The float looks more like bars holding them back from the all you can eat pizza&wing bar than partnership benefits.
~NAME CALLING? REALLY?

This whole thing really makes me cringe with embarrassment. In today's world must there still be parades and floats with spandex and leather and all the other stereotypes. I mean if one is fighting to be free of prejudice, stereotypes and labels then does it make sense to have a parade and a float that flaunts exactly those labels and stereotypes.

~DO YOU CRINGE WITH EMBARRASSMENT AT THE ROYAL HIBERNIANS FILLING OUR GUTTERS WITH GREEN BEER PUKE EVERY YEAR??

Society is benefited from all forms of domestic partnerships and they should not have to be sexual in nature. Anyone who makes a commitment to the care taking of another individual performing a service to that person, to their relationship and to the insurance / medical institution / taxpayer that would most likely pay for services that a single person living alone would not be able to provide. People living alone are more likely to all forms of unemployment, isolation, sickness, hospitalization, disability even death. The fact that there is a caretaker with a commitment to another person should not matter whether its a room mate, a relative or an intimate relationship.

WHAT IS THE POINT? ARE YOU COMPARING ORANGES TO ORANGUTANS?

Its a shame that Buffalo comes in last on some of these issues but I never found Buffalo to be biased or backwards just parochial unlike Rochester's which is riddled with leftist radicals. Every year its something new in Rochester: women who claim gender discrimination because they cant go topless (ie shirtless) like men, heretics who want to politicize christianity because of women priests, blah blah blah.

IT'S A SHAME THAT PEOPLE WITH AN IGNORANT AND OVERLY SIMPLISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUFFERING AND DISPARITY OF OTHERS IS ALLOWED TO VOICE SUCH LAUGHABLE AND LARGELY UNINTELLIGIBLE OPINIONS...IF THIS WERE ONE OF NEWELL'S 'NICE ONLY COCKTAIL PARTIES', YOU'D BE OUT ON YOUR ASSCOT!

Id rather Buffalo be parochial in its own down to earth manner than the politically correct manure that Rochester trots out to the media in an effort to show their progressive. It just comes off as hypocritical as all the marketing that used to come out of their Fortune 500 companies touting diversity. Rochester was never more diverse than anyplace else ... in fact ... probably less so since Rochester really isn't a city but a grouping of small suburban and exurban towns trying to be a city. Buffalo on the other had...been there...done that...knows its a city and rather than prejudice...I think Buffalo is just plain corrupt, lazy and parochial.

So I say, does the gay community really need a parade and a float and a protest. Cant it just lobby like everyone else?

DOES ANYONE NEED A PARADE? ARE YOU EQUALLY OFFENDED BY ALL PARADES??
YES, WHEN A GROUP OF PEOPLE IS NATIONALLY VILIFIED BY A PROPAGANDA MACHINE AS OMNIPRESENT, AND RICHLY FUNDED AS THE GOP, ATTACKED BY CHRISTIANS AT EVERY TURN ~ AND IN A CITY WHERE LGBT INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO LIE ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND FAMILIES, SIMPLY TO KEEP THEIR JOBS, YES, WE NEED PARADES, AND EVERY OTHER IN YOUR FACE FORM OF ACTIVISM THAT OFFENDS YOUR DISINGENUOUS SENSITIVITIES. SHAME YOU GET TO SPOUT YOUR IGNORANCE AND PETTY PREJUDICES IN ANONYMITY. THAT IS WHAT IS KNOWN AS IMPOTENT COWARDICE, AND MALICIOUS MALICE. I'LL TAKE PLEASANTLY PLUMP PARADE PROTESTERS ANYTIME OVER THE LIKES OF YOU.

If the real goal is a society that is not separated by race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, hair color, shoe size, etc then is it not counter-productive to differentiate your group and demand special rights. Should not rights be justified as rights for all and responsibilities for all and justified for all.

CAN WE ALL COME LIVE IN YOUR FANTASY UNIVERSE?
WHEN WE CALL THE POLICE THEY OFTEN DON'T RESPOND,
WHEN WE ARE FIRED WE HAVE NO RECOURSE,
YES WE NEED OUR RIGHTS LEGALLY REITERATED.
WHEN WE ARE DENIED HOUSING SHOULD WE HAPPILY LIVE ON THE STREET?
WHEN WE ARE TURNED AWAY FROM OUR BELOVEDS HOSPITAL ROOM, SHOULD WE TAKE COMFORT IN YOUR PALTRY PALLIATIVES?

YOU DO REALIZE YOU ARE TYPING THIS MINDLESS DRIVEL OUT LOUD, DON'T YOU, DESTINY?

I haven't seen such thoughtful conversation since the 7th grade. Are all of you this miserable IRL?

ok, I was making a joke not attacking. I thought some people were bigger than that. I support domestic partnerships but I view it from allowing someone to name a partner and/or caretaker which should be eligible to share health benefits. This I think should be available to all not just civil servants and not just the G&L community. I think the justification for civil liberties is best justified for ALL. That puts me in the category of civil libertarian not liberal. Sorry if that makes me evil to you liberals.

sinjill, your absolutely right. San Francisco was one of the few cities that kept the things which gave it character, history and a recognizable brand across the nation and the world. They resisted the temptation for urban renewal and demolition that most other cities embraced. I applaud them for it. I still disagree with the liberalism, the porn, the beatniks, the hippies, the drugs, etc that came out of that city

grad94, your absolutely correct. I do cringe and get embarrassed when people behave in appropriately at parades, floats, even sports venues or any public gathering. People forget that these public gatherings can include families and children. Adults in public should be role models. So no its not particularly a G&L thing. If cities are going to see returning populations and be friendly for families then we must make them family friendly. For the most part Buffalo is but like anywhere. Its why I think Buffalo can be a wonderful place whether one is G&L or single or within a family unit.

BlackRockLifer, what holds back minorities is unsafe neighborhoods the the horrible education they receive in public schools which would be remedied by school choice and school vouchers. It is NOT civil libertarians who are preventing equal rights for minorites. Civil Libertarians believe civil rights do not have to name the category of the person you are in order for them to be justified or enforced. Oh and in 1960, 60% of all levels of degrees(HS, ASSOC, BACH, Masters, PHDs) went to men and over 60% of all entrepreneurs were men. Today in 2010, 60% of all levels of degrees are graduated by women, 60% plus of all entrepreneurs are women. THIS LAST RECESSION HAS OVERWHELMINGLY LANDED SQUARELY ON MEN BECAUSE MEN HAPPEN TO PREDOMINATE IN HIGHER CYCLICAL AND HIGHER RISK JOBS. ONE MUST WONDER WHEN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR THE MALE GENDER WILL BE APPLIED? Again civil rights should be justified for everyone and not justified by identity groups. Didnt anyone teach you one nation under god and indivisible with life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It does NOT say we are an amalgam of separate and distinct group identities granted rights by statistical bias of disenfranchisement by big government.

Paul Morgan, well I think your so entrapped in your perspective that your rigidity blinds you to the obvious. Yes you deserve your rights and you them to be enforced but are you fighting for rights for yourself, the group you identify with or civil rights for all who are dis-enfrachised.

Its amazing how one can be attacked if speaking from the role of a civil libertarian.

My fiance and I wanted to enter into a legal domestic partnership, and were forced to venture to Rochester, NY, the nearest major municipality to recognise and permit such an event. I find it very disappointing that he and I were not permitted to do this in Buffalo, and even if we had waited we would not be allowed because we are an opposite sexed couple. We either provide equal rights or we don't. Gays and lesbians ahould be allowed to be married and straight couples should be allowed domestic partnerships. There are many different relationship dynamics out there and the City of Buffalo (or other government) should not be allowed to define them.

Dirty laundry aside. There is a good side. And, then, the downside. The upside is that the solemnity of a sacred bond can be shared with the community. The downside is that a bigoted mob can now persecute those who choose to disclose their private status. One horrendous example of this tragedy is the Holocaust under Hitler. Nearly one million gays were executed in gas chambers because they came out in a burst of freedom in the thirties. Those sign up sheets became confessions leading to a death warrant. Somber. Oh well. Lets return to "dishing." Isn't that our destiny?