(Eureka Springs, AR)--The first and only Domestic Partnership Registry in the Arkansas continues to attract couples from around the state and nation. Last week, 13 couples joined the registry, 12 of them on Friday, Nov. 2, opening day of the city's annual Fall Diversity Weekend.

Gay New Bureau paid the $35 application fee for three randomly-chosen couples: Leah Smith and Rebecca Brown, and Heather Hodges and Brandi Willingham, all of Claremore, OK, and Darci Bohneblust and Jolene Hickman of Riley, KS. To mark the occasion, the couples also received gift bags with top hats and veils from eurekapride.com, free weekend transportation from Eureka Springs Limousine and discounts from local merchants and inn keepers.

Birds of a Feather: Leah Smith and Rebecca Brown flank City Clek MJ Sell

Of the 13 couples, five came from Arkansas cities, including Rogers, Atkins, Waldron, Conway and Eureka Springs. Terry Francone and David Loe, new owners of the Tradewinds Motel in Eureka Springs registered as Domestic Partners a few days before the Fall Diversity Weekend.

The remaining eight couples came from Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Tennessee. The new registrants included 9 female couples, two male couples and one male/female couple.

In just under four months, the Domestic Partnership Registry has attracted 131 couples from 11 different states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. During the same period couples from 34 other cities in Arkansas came to Eureka Springs to take advantage of the Registry.

Statistics support the claim by proponents of the measure that it would attract additional tourists to Eureka Springs. That seems to be the case, despite a dire lack of promotion and advertising about the Registry by the city itself.

The Registry became law on June 22 after unanimous approval by the Eureka Springs City Council and, at $35 per couple, has generated more than $4,500 for the city's treasury.

Presuming each Domestic Partnership spent a minimum of $200 to $500 on lodging, restaurants, commitment ceremonies and the like, the Registry has poured between $26,000 and $65,000 into the local economy over the past four-plus months.

Realistically, contributions to the Eureka Springs economy are likely much higher. The presumptive figures do not, for instance, reflect expenditures by friends and families traveling with Domestic Partners.

The Eureka Springs Domestic Partnership Registry is maintained by City Clerk MJ Sell who says, «It's still the favorite thing I do.»

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