November-December, 2011: Four new domestic partnership registries, and two new equal benefits ordinances
The cities of Flagstaff, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; Crystal, Minnesota; and Shorewood, Minnesota enacted new domestic partnership registries, while Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Broward County, Florida enacted equal benefits ordinances.
January, 2012: Three new domestic partnership registries
The cities of Eagan, Minnesota and Eden Prairie, Minnesota became the 17th and 18th cities, respectively, in Minnesota to enact a local domestic partnership registry. In addition, a domestic partnership registry was enacted in Clayton, Missouri.
February-March 2012: Same-Sex Marriage in California, Washington State, and Maryland
The Governors of Washington and Maryland have signed laws extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. However, opponents of both laws are collecting signatures to place the issue on the November, 2012 ballot.
In the meantime, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has held California's Proposition 8 to violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. If the decision withstands a pending effort to seek review by a larger panel of the 9th Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court, same-sex marriage in California will be back on track.
Moreover, in the event that a voter referendum in Washington State or Maryland blocks the bill extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, a legal challenge to the referendum—based on the 9th Circuit's decision on California's Proposition 8—is almost certain.
March-May 2012: New Domestic Partnership Registries and Equal Benefits Ordinances, Concentrated in Florida
New domestic partnership registries have been enacted in Tampa, Florida and Dayton, Ohio, and a new equal benefits ordinance was enacted in Key West, Florida.
Proposed domestic partnership registries are being considered in St. Petersburg, Florida; Orange County, Florida; Pinellas County, Florida; Gulfport, Florida; Clearwater, Florida; Volusia County, Florida; and Northfield, Minnesota.
