In a 5-3 vote Monday night, the Moorhead City Council said "no" to a domestic partnership registry.
Voting against the idea were Luther Stueland, Nancy Otto, Dan Hunt, Brenda Elmer and Mark Hintermeyer.
Voting for an ordinance that had been pushed for by a majority of the Moorhead Human Rights Commission were Diane Wray Williams, Mark Altenburg and Greg Lemke.
"It's a pox on the city of Moorhead if we don't pass this," Lemke said prior to the vote, adding that the ordinance would adversely affect no one.
"I don't see how affirming other people hurts anybody," Lemke said, adding that if the ordinance failed any sign promoting Moorhead as a welcoming place should be taken down.
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"It's not accurate," said Lemke, who has been open about the fact that he is gay.
Williams said a registry would recognize families whose members love and support each other, but for whatever reason marriage is not in the picture.
"I also think it (approving a registry) is an act of compassion," she said.
Hunt and Elmer said it wasn't the city's place to establish a registry, suggesting it was more of a state issue.
"That debate should be taking place there," Elmer said.
The ordinance would have defined domestic partners as two adults who are as committed to one another as married persons "except for the traditional marriage status and solemnities."
Under the ordinance, the city would have provided those who register with a certificate and a record of the application would be kept on file, something backers of a registry say makes it easier for individuals to receive employment benefits from companies that offer benefits to domestic partners.
Registrations would have been deemed ended if one partner died or filed a notice of termination with the city.
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Several members of the public spoke in opposition to a registry, stating they were worried it would open the door to gay marriage or say the wrong thing about Moorhead's community standards.
"I don't think we want to be known as a queer community," said resident Ken Lucier.
Sel Nygard, a member of the Human Rights Commission, said he was opposed to a registry because he didn't see it serving any useful purpose and because it ran counter to his religious beliefs.
Moorhead resident Mark Singer urged the council to be bold and pass the ordinance, even if such a step might be unpopular among some.
"It's a small gesture and an important one," Singer said.
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
