While the federal appeals court in California sorts out the issue of the constitutionality of same-sex marriages, Denver officials have voted to support a federal proposal that would make gay and lesbian partnerships more like marriages in at least one respect. On Monday, the city council went on record to back a bill that would allow gays and lesbians to seek legal residency in the United States for their foreign partners, reports The Denver Post. A proclamation pushed by Councilman Doug Linkhart states: "The city of Denver respects the proper legal rights of all immigrant groups and families, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender family structures." The proposed federal law is sponsored by several lawmakers, including Congresswoman Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat. The bill has won celebrity support from Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the popular Eat, Pray, Love memoir, writes On Top.