State Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) (Photo public domain)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida Senate subcommittee on Tuesday tabled a bill that would have created a statewide domestic partner registry.

State Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood,) who sponsored the proposal, is among the committee members who spoke in support of it. Equality Florida noted gay Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe, Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith and Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie are among the elected officials who support the bill.

“People from around the state gave compelling testimony on the need for protections,” Nadine Smith, the group’s executive director, said. “It is disappointing that the bill was not moved forward.”