The City of Savannah has joined a handful of Georgia cities in offering domestic partner benefits to city employees.

The move is being hailed by gay activists.

The unanimous vote by city council affects only the city's some 2,000 employees.

They'll be able to add same-sex partners to health care and other benefits.

Experience in other cities shows only about one or two percent of workers will take advantage of it.

However, the local leader of Georgia Equality, a gay rights group, said it was a symbol of tolerance.

The measure was modeled after plans offered at a local hospital and college.

Atlanta, Fulton County and Athens-Clark County also offer the benefits.

The decision came about a month after gay rights activists staged their first ever protest march in Savannah.

Tags: Savannah, Georgia Equality, Savannah City Council, GPB News, gay rights