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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Salt Lake City gay couples may soon be able to have their partnerships legally recognition, if not the full benefits of marriage.
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson wants to create Utah's first domestic-partner registry, which would allow gay couple to come to City Hall and sign up with the city.
Anderson isn't saying much about the specific plans because the registry is in the planning stages. However, he did say the registry may give couples some legal rights they might not otherwise have in Utah.
While such registries at the state level offer gay couples some significant financial and civic benefits, registries at the city level are more ceremonial.
A recent report on domestic partner registries notes that state governments have the authority to offer gay couples rights while cities don't have the authority.
Utah attorney general spokesman Paul Murphy said it will be up to the Salt Lake City Attorney's Office to determine if state law allows the city to set up a registry.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
