This act provides that in almost all cases a domestic partner will have the same rights as a spouse regarding inheritance, probate, guardianship, and other rights traditionally accorded to spouses.
Some private employers within such cities use the domestic partnership registries for the purpose of determining employee eligibility for domestic partner benefits.
When an organization voluntarily adopts policies that demonstrate an accepting and non-judgmental environment, a person can seek support for their stigma (e.g., domestic partner benefits).
In 1991, the city formally adopted domestic partner health insurance rights for the citys 20,000 employees, the largest employer to do so at that time.