The Orlando City Council, led by Mayor Buddy Dyer, decided this week to give domestic-partner benefits to gay city employees. In doing so, Orlando becomes the first government in Central Florida to do so.

The benefits will only be available to same-sex couples, however. Unmarried opposite sex couples will not get access to the benefits since, according to Dyer, "they have the option of marriage." This is vastly different from the other municipalities- including Oakland Park, Miami Beach, Key West, West Palm Beach, and many others- who allow both gay and heterosexual couples to receive benefits.

Of course, these benefits may be taken away on Election Day if Amendment 2, the dangerous "Marriage Protection" Amendment passes. The vague language of the bill would strip away domestic partnership benefits, much like similar amendments have done in other states like Michigan. Make sure to SAY NO 2 on November 4th!