By Alia Beard Rau | The Arizona Republic
Bisbee may become the first city in Arizona to allow civil unions, including for same-sex couples.
The Bisbee City Council on Tuesday unanimously gave initial approval to an ordinance that Councilman Eugene Conners proposed to let two unrelated, unmarried adults of any sexual orientation enter a civil union.
The City Clerk’s Office would issue the certificates for $25. The couple would be recognized as related within Bisbee and given all the rights of a married couple.
Councilman Ken Budge said the ordinance still needs final council approval on April 2 and would go into effect 30 days after that.
While state statute and the state Constitution limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman, Budge said there is nothing in state law about civil unions.
“We are a very tolerant and open community,” he said.
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