Resolution 2021-31605 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31605
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LGBT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AT
ITS JANUARY 12, 2021 MEETING, AS FOLLOWS: (1) DECLARING
JUNE 26, 2021 AS THE "MARRIAGE EQUALITY DAY" IN THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH; (2) DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
UPDATE THE CITY'S WEBSITE TO PROVIDE EASILY ACCESSIBLE
INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET MARRIED IN THE CITY AND TO
TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF
OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE; AND (3) REFERRING TO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE A
DISCUSSION ON CREATING AN OUTDOORS BACKDROP FOR
MARRIAGE CEREMONIES AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES.
WHEREAS, at its January 12, 2021 meeting, the LGBT Advisory Committee
unanimously passed a motion requesting the City to take the following actions in order to
promote the City as a desirable marriage destination: (1) update the City's website with
links and infographics to provide information and services for obtaining a marriage
license; (2) designate Marriage Equality Month in Miami Beach; and (3) create a structure
to function as a backdrop for outdoor marriage ceremonies and photo-opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the City has been a longstanding champion for marriage equality and
welcomes any opportunity to make the process of getting married more accessible for all;
and
WHEREAS, updating the City's website with easily accessible and easily digestible
information on how to obtain a marriage license, including making a marriage application
form accessible online, will help facilitate and expedite the process, making it especially
convenient for non-resident couples choosing Miami Beach as their wedding destination;
and
WHEREAS, moreover, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there has been
a considerable delay in obtaining a marriage license in the City, leading people to seek
marriage licenses in a different county; and
WHEREAS, as such, the Mayor and City Commission direct the City
Administration to update the City's website to provide easily accessible information on
how to get married in the City, and to find ways to expedite the process of obtaining a
marriage license; and
WHEREAS, further, the Mayor and City Commission hereby declare June 26,
2021 as the "Marriage Equality Day" in the City of Miami Beach, in honor of the landmark
civil rights case decided on June 26, 2015, in which the Supreme Court of the United
States ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by
the U.S. Constitution; and
WHEREAS, lastly, the Mayor and City Commission refer a discussion regarding
the creation of a backdrop for outdoor marriage ceremonies and photo-opportunities to
the Neighborhood and Qualify of Life Committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept the recommendations of the LGBT Advisory Committee at
its January 12, 2021 meeting, as follows: (1) declare June 26, 2021 as the "Marriage
Equality Day" in the City of Miami Beach; (2) directing the City Administration to update
the City's website to provide easily accessible information on how to get married in the
City and to take all steps necessary to expedite the process of obtaining a marriage
license; and (3) refer to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee a discussion
on creating an outdoors backdrop for marriage ceremonies and photo opportunities.
PASSED and ADOPTED this , day of F-PhruG r y , 2021 .
6# 2-‘, 0e..__ .
Dan Gelber, Mayor
ATTEST: ----4
2/2. 11 1.4.-LA .;tiS '','S'''',
Rafael E. Gr nado, City Clerk .INIORP ORATED'
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(co-sponsored by Commissioners Michael Gongora and David Richardson)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
1 H
City Attorney / Date
New Business and Commission Requests - R9 0
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Michael Gongora
DATE: February 10, 2021
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE JANUARY 12TH LGBTQ ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MOTION ABOUT SUPPORTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY.
ANALYSIS
Please place on the Feb 10 Commission agenda a discussion regarding the Jan 12 LGBTQ
Advisory Committee motion regarding marriage equality. The motion states that the LGBTQ
Advisory Committee recommends three independent proposals as reflected below to promote
the City of Miami Beach and our support of Marriage Equality and mariceting our city as a
destination for marriage as well as the resources available to all residents,?lease find attached
the LTC and feel free to contact Diana Fontani should you need any additional information.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes No
Legislative Tracking
Commissioner Michael Gongora
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o LTC LGBTQ 027-2021
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MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139,www.miamibeachfl goy
OFF:CE OF NE CITY MANAGER
LTC # 027-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J. Aguila, Interim City Manager
DATE: January 20, 2021 2_,C:04\
SUBJECT: Motions by the LGBTQ Advisory Committee
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to inform the Mayor and the Commission of
motions made by the LGBTQ Advisory Committee at their meeting on January 12, 2021.
MOTION 1:
The LGBTQ Advisory Committee recommends supporting three independent proposals as reflected
below to promote the City of Miami Beach and our support of Marriage Equality and marketing our
city as a destination for marriage as well as the resources available to all residents.
Motion Made By: Sunny Weber
Motion Seconded By: Herb Sosa
Motion Passed: 10-0
Members in favor: Craig Garmendia, Danny Diaz, Eddie Kring, Herb Sosa, Mark Wylie, Michael
Bath, Paul Thomas, Riki Wilchins, Robin Schwartz, Sunny Weber
ANALYSIS
In recognition of the City of Miami Beach's steadfast support of marriage equality; the Committee
would like to facilitate the process of filing a marriage application in the City of Miami Beach and
making resources and information accessible to all
I. Using the existing city website, develop links providing information and services required for
marriage which would assist anyone unfamiliar with the marriage process. Requests to include:
• One-page printable graphic of the steps required to get married in Miami
Beach including locations, costs and, timeline (outlined below)
• Currently, step 1 of the process requires applicants to go in person to the
office on Washington Avenue during business hours. Request to make
this information and application is accessible online. This would also
expedite the process for couples choosing Miami Beach as a wedding
destination so that the application can be completed before their arrival.
II. Designate Marriage Equality Month in Miami Beach. Suggestions include the month of
April in which we host PRIDE June, an internationally recognized month of Gay Pride
parades often designated Christopher Street Day
• January and August are benchmark months in Florida's courts as the
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dates the ban was ruled unconstitutional (Aug 14, 2014) and the state
legally recognized same-sex marriage (Jan 6, 2015).
III. Capitalizing on our resources
• A structure to function as the backdrop for outdoor ceremonies and photo
ops. Suggested structure idea is 2 interlocked circles which symbolize
both the couple's rings and eternity. Foliage could be grown to bring the
structure to life, similar to the structure in Soundscape Park.
Current Marriage Process is as follows:
1. Go to the office on Washington Avenue and apply for a marriage license.
a. Cost $93.50 (3 day wait)
b. Cost $61 if the applicants are residents of the state of Florida and have
proof of attending marriage preparatory classes conducted by a certified
provider'(same day)
2. Participate in a city ceremony or a person certified to conduct the ceremony such
as a Justice of the Peace or Clergyman (price, location, and scheduling vary)
'If a couple chooses to attend marriage preparatory classes, it is 4 hours
generally 4 one-hour sessions scheduled with their chosen provider.
MOTION 2:
The LGBTQ Advisory Committee recommend that the Commission creates a protocol that any
issues related to the LGBTQ Community be referred to the Committee for discussion prior to making
any decisions that affect the LGBTQ Community. In addition, the Committee requests they be
notified of all LGBTQ related events in a timely manner.
Motion Made By: Robin Schwartz
Motion Seconded By: Herb Sosa
Motion Passed: 10-0
Members in favor: Craig Garmendia, Danny Diaz, Eddie Kring, Gayle Durham, Herb Sosa,
Michael Bath, Paul Thomas, Riki Wilchins, Robin Schwartz, Sunny Weber
RJA/MM/mg
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