The only Domestic Partnership Registry in Arkansas--and one of the few in the Mid-South region of the country--may soon be history, if one right-wing state legislator has his way.

But the City of Eureka Springs and DPR advocates, vow to vigorously oppose a move by Republican Arkansas State Rep. Bryan King to do away with it.

In only 22 months, 256 unmarried couples from 55 Arkansas communities and 14 other states have registered as domestic partners in Eureka Springs.

At least 28 of those couples came from neighboring Oklahoma and another 32 from Missouri, says Michael Walsh, who wrote the domestic partnership law that went into effect in June 2007.

Efforts to keep the resort town from officially honoring gay and straight couples is «transparent homophobia,» he says.

«There are six words to describe State Rep. Bryan King of Arkansas,» said Walsh, «and they are, 'State Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma'. To know one is to know the other.»

DPR advocates say it is hypocritical for any state lawmaker to condemn municipal domestic partnership laws while accepting campaign contributions from Kraft Foods, Wal-Mart, FedEx and Cox Communications--companies that have domestic partner policies.

King is serving his final term as state representative and may next run for the Arkansas senate. His detractors say he has nothing to lose and much to gain with a self-serving assault on the DPR at this time.

King introduced his anti-DPR measure March 9. Out lesbian Arkansas State Rep. Kathy Webb, a Democrat, opposes the ban and has said it may be killed at the committee level. Arkansas Speaker of the House Robbie Wills is also on record as opposing the bill.

But Eureka Springs city officials are not taking any chances. In a statement signed by the entire Eureka Springs City Council, Mayor Dani Joy strongly defended the DPR and condemned King's intrusion into city affairs.

«I will not stand silent any longer and allow a demographic of our citizens to be humiliated and degraded,» she said. «Prejudice or bigotry have no place in our city. The gay and lesbian community are our friends, neighbors and family.»

The editor of the town's weekly newspaper, The Lovely County Citizen, characterized King's anti-DPR bill as a «regressive, faith-based, discriminatory, venal . . . and cynical act.»

It is, said editor Don Lee in a  editorial, «demagoguery based on religious prejudice bordering on moral fascism . . .»

The Carroll County (AR) News reported King «felt the bill (to ban DPRs) was needed because tourism in Eureka Springs has become identified too strongly with issues of sexuality.»

Given the town's long-standing reputation as a major wedding destination, King's rationale is fraudulent, says Walsh.

«What the hell does he think goes on in all those heart shaped hot tubs and honeymoon cabins,» Walsh said. «King's real aim is to impose his extremist religious and political views on our town and at the expense gay residents, business owners and tourists.

«Playing the gay card is a way for cheap politicians in Arkansas to fan the fires of hate and fatten up their campaign coffers.»

But, on the brink of what may be a precarious tourist season, King's bill could also deprive the town of a critical revenue stream.

According to city records, the DPR has generated almost $10,000 for the city in less than two years. Registration costs $35 per couple.

Walsh puts the figure at closer to $250,000 to $500,000 when DPR-related expenditures on hotels, motels, B &Bs, restaurants, bars, caterers, ministers, florists, gift shops, photographers and spending by friends and families are included.

«Precisely when the state needs all the tax revenue it can it, King's bill is exceedingly short-sighted,» he said.

SOS the DPR - What YOU can do

* Express your support, by sending a brief e-mail to Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Joy at mayor@cityofeurekasprings.orgonline casino

Example: ««I (We) stand with you in support of the Eureka Springs Domestic Partnership Registry.»

Or write your own. Be sure to add your name, city and state.

* Express your outrage to Arkansas State Rep. Bryan King at: kingb@arkleg.state.ar.us

* Ask your friends, co-workers, family members and neighbors to do the same.

* Send this story to news outlets, LGBT organizations, web sites and blogs.

* Ask your elected local and state representatives to speak out on this issue. As did the Eureka Springs mayor when Sally Kern was on the rampage last year.

* Come to Eureka Springs for Diversity Weekend April 3-5 and get your own DPR. See www.eurekapride.com for events.

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