I recently moved to Hillsborough County and have spent the better part of the last year bragging to friends and family about how proud I am of my new home.That pride was shattered by the Hillsborough County Commission's rejection last week of a domestic partnership registry. I could not be more ashamed of this community. The four "no" votes were a step backwards — signaling regression, hate and intolerance. History will mark these commissioners' place alongside the bigots and extremists of other eras. The fight is far from over, and in the end we will win. Good and right always do. The four commissioners had their chance and failed. But now we know where they stand and we can move forward.
Kaitlyn Little, Tampa
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On the same day that the Hillsborough County Commission was meeting with the principals of the Tampa Bay Rays, a vote to allow county residents a domestic partnership registry was being defeated. The Rays should remind the commission that the Rays is an inclusive organization and that this vote is not in line with those values.Twenty years ago, the NFL informed Ye Mystic Krewe that the NFL would not tolerate having the Super Bowl associated with an organization that was not inclusive. So too should Major League Baseball and the Tampa Bay Rays remind the county that
there are consequences to its acts as well.
Jeff Thofner, Tampa
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