Devlin v. City of Philadelphia

CARRAFIELLO, J.,

A. INTRODUCTION

The plaintiffs filed a complaint seeking to declare three Philadelphia ordinances invalid and to permanently enjoin the implementation of a “life partner” registry by the City of Philadelphia.

The first ordinance, promulgated as bill no. 970750, and more commonly referenced as the Fair Practices Act, governs public accommodation and employment practices as they pertain to life partners. The second ordinance, as promulgated as bill no. 970745, amends the Retirement System Ordinance, allowing employees to broadly name designated beneficiaries. The third ordi*88nance,…