Source: Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News,
Lisa LeDuc and Brandie Balken were the first couple to take advantage of Salt Lake City's newly created mutual-commitment registry today.

"I guess we're the first ones," Balken said after entering the City Recorder's Office to find a room full of news cameras. "It's not every day you get to be a gay celebrity."

There were no celebrations or crowds waiting for the doors to open at 8 am, but there was a huddle of news media ready to record the event.

LeDuc and Balken, who own an east-side home, have been together for seven years.

"It's a beautiful, symbolic step," Balken told the Salt Lake Tribune after gaining her mutual-commitment certificate. "I really wanted to participate and almost say 'thank you' to Mayor [Ralph] Becker."

State legislation delayed the city's implementation of the measure until it changed the registry's name. Becker originally called it a domestic-partnership registry, an initiative he promised during his mayoral campaign last year.

The two women had with them legal documents proving their reliance on each other. By 8:30 a.m. the couple had signed up and received certificates from the city.

"This is a lot less expensive than getting this done," Balken told Deseret News pointing to the couple's estate planning document.

Signing up for the registry is $25, compared to the more than $2,500 Balken says it cost the couple to put their estate in order.

The registry provides an easy way for employers who choose to acknowledge domestic partnerships for employee benefits. It also provides for hospital visitation.

Full article: First couple signs up for Salt Lake's Mutual Commitment Registry | Deseret News
First couple signs up for SLC 'mutual-commitment' partnership registry | Salt Lake Tribune