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Marc Giauque and AP reporting The new mayor of Salt Lake City is asking the City Council to create a registry for domestic partners.
Mayor Ralph Becker says the registry would recognize relationships of mutual support, caring and commitment.
Becker says the registry would allow people to receive a city certificate, which could be used to obtain benefits from an employer.
The plan, however, is getting mixed reviews. "It's crazy! That should not be done by government. It's not government's place to create a registry," one man said.
Another man said, "Anything that'll help the community at large, I'm for. If it'll help everybody get along a little better, I'm happy."
Applicants must meet several requirements, including a minimum age of 18 and residency in Salt Lake City.
Becker's office says the proposed ordinance would not conflict with a 2004 amendment to the Utah Constitution, which defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman.
(The Associated Press contributed to this article. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
