It will take a few months to find out for sure, but you can safely bet the Florida Legislature will not pass a statewide domestic partnership law this year. The reality is that the bill introduced by Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, may not get so much as a hearing in the Republican-dominated House and Senate. It hasn’t since 2009.

That’s why we hope local governments will take up the measure and support the creation of domestic partnership registries as soon as possible. A registry is a fair, decent idea that recognizes the value of diverse, modern family relationships while respecting state law.