Arizona's Attorney General hosts state's city attorneys to discuss civil unions

April 29, 2013

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne met in Phoenix Monday with city attorneys from around the state to discuss the legality of civil unions. Horne is reacting to Bisbee’s recent approval of civil unions for gay couples. Horne said he wants to instruct city attorneys about what is legal under Arizona law pertaining to civil unions.

Earlier this month, the Bisbee City Council approved an ordinance granting civil unions to same sex couples. A few days later however, the Bisbee council announced it will revise the law to ensure it does not violate state statutes.

Bisbee Mayor Adriana Badal said her city attorney will attend Horne’s meeting, but she added that the city council has no plans to overturn the civil union measure.

“We’re not going to rethink this because we’ve already said this is what we’re going to do. We’re just amending it," Badal said. "We’re amending our decision if you will, but we’re not changing our mind."

Bisbee’s revised civil union ordinance will not go into effect until after May 7. Badal said so far, 12 couples have notified the city of Bisbee that they want to apply for a civil union certificate. She said five of the couples do not live in Bisbee, but they want to have the certificate to show they are committed to their relationships.