FLORIDA: Orange County Commission Approves Domestic Partners Benefits

Orange County, Florida commissioners have unanimously approved extending benefits to the partners of gay county employees. Via Watermark:

In their pre-vote comments, many commissioners took the time to recognize Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who led the effort in 2008 to extend benefits to same sex domestic partners of city employees, and former Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart, who crusaded on behalf of same sex partners of county employees. Sheehan and Stewart were the first to speak in favor of the benefits. “It’s not the same as marriage, but it makes things a little more fair,” Sheehan said.

It's nice to be able to report good news from home.

RELATED: In November, Orange County instituted broad LGBT protections in public accommodations, housing, and employment.