Tag Archives: domestic partners

Via press release from the Human Rights Campaign: HRC research shows that two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partner benefits to employees with same-sex partners. And 62 percent of those companies also make domestic partner benefits available to employees with opposite-sex partners. Companies that move to eliminate domestic partner benefits, and instead require legal marriage to ensure partner and …

Via Chattanooga television: The Domestic Partnership ordinance loses in Chattanooga. With 100% of the vote reported: Against the Ordinance – 13685, For the Ordinance – 8184. Last year the Chattanooga City Council voted to allow the partners of city employees in domestic partnerships to get equal benefits. But the measure was forced to a public vote, and it appears the …

Via press release from Lambda Legal: Today the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the state’s domestic partnership registry as constitutional, bringing a joyful end to a long legal battle by Lambda Legal on behalf of Fair Wisconsin and five intervening defendant couples. “We’re thrilled that Wisconsin same-sex couples can keep the limited but very important protections that the domestic partnership registry …

In a lopsided vote, Nashville’s Metro Council last night approved domestic partner benefits for city employees. The council voted 27-7 for the measure, adding Metro to a long list of public and private employers across the country that offer domestic partner benefits. The result was expected, but some council members spoke out strongly against the policy before the vote. Councilman …

GOP Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has filed a motion asking a federal court to uphold a ban on domestic partner benefits for state and local government employees. The motion asks Judge David Lawson to rule in favor of the state in a lawsuit filed by five same-sex couples. The motion argues that the 2011 law banning the benefits “eliminates local …

Via the Seattle Times: Thousands of gay and lesbian domestic partners who have not married or legally dissolved their unions by the end of June will have their relationships automatically converted to marriage — courtesy of the state. It’s the final piece of the state’s same-sex marriage law — a provision about which many couples are apparently unaware and one …

I guess they didn’t appreciate yesterday’s freeping because the Chattanooga Free Press has reposted their poll with slightly different wording. (Tipped by JMG reader Chuck)

From the Times Free Press: The Hamilton County Election Commission has verified enough signatures on a petition to repeal the city’s controversial domestic benefits ordinance. Mark West of the local PAC Citizens for Government Accountability and Transparency and president of the local tea party has already turned in 8,900 signatures and plans to turn in nearly 10,000 by the 4 …

The haters are trying to repeal Wisconsin’s domestic partners registry because it’s “too close to marriage.” The state Supreme Court heard opening arguments in the case yesterday. Attorney Austin Nimocks, representing a group of citizens that challenged the law, told the justices the domestic partner registry follows the blueprint of marriage. Nimocks said the registry has restrictions on how old …

Saying that she does not need the permission of the city council to do so, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero has ordered the city to expand domestic partner benefits to LGBT employees of the city.   “Last year, we expanded our employee nondiscrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity. This change in our benefits ensures that we are treating everyone …

From a memo sent yesterday to Walmart management, forwarded to me by a reader: This week our associates will receive a pre-enrollment postcard at their homes announcing the dates for annual enrollment and providing highlights of the 2014 benefit offerings. Among the information highlighted on the postcard: We will cover domestic partners in the medical, dental, vision, life, critical illness …

Via press release from the ACLU: A federal judge today ruled that a state law that would have barred many public entities from providing health insurance to the domestic partners of their employees is unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union and Kirkland & Ellis LLP challenged the law on behalf of five gay and lesbian public employees, as well as …

The Supreme Court today refused to review the appeal of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who wants to strip state employees of domestic partner benefits. The Human Rights Campaign reacts via press release: After the landmark decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8 yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued orders today declining to review the remaining LGBT equality …

Two San Antonio-based Christian groups are threatening to sue the city in order to overturn insurance benefits granted to the partners of LGBT city employees. Pastor Gerald Ripley [left] of Voices for Marriage and Philip Sevilla of Texas Leadership Coalition made the request Wednesday with backing from a few sign-carrying supporters at City Hall. Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an …

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said yesterday that municipalities are breaking the state constitution if they offer domestic partners benefits. And because they don’t want gay people to have health insurance, that makes the Family Research Council very happy. Via press release: In three cities and a school district, liberal Texans have tried to undermine the 2005 marriage referendum by …

GOP Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says that any city that offers domestic partner benefits is in violation of the state constitution. Domestic partnerships, as recognized by the local governments, are close enough to the definition of marriage to violate a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions that 76 percent of Texas voters approved in 2005, the opinion stated. “By creating …

“Unlike other bills, this one would have extended special benefits to just about any two people–including platonic relationships–stripping marriage of all meaning or incentive. Once again, Rep. [Mark] Baker pointed out the ridiculously high costs to taxpayers, especially as it pertains to homosexuals. Though we’ve not researched his source, Baker insisted that only 1% of homosexuals die of old age, …

The Wyoming House has rejected the domestic partners bill that passed out of its committee on Monday.   The House voted 35-to-24 against the bill. It marked the first time that pro-gay legislation reached a full floor debate in the state Legislature.  Proponents of the bill said that it would grant same-sex couples as well as other citizens a way to …

The vote for a domestic partnerships bill was 7-2 shortly after the same committee narrowly rejected same-sex marriage by a 5-4 vote. UPDATE: Wyoming Equality reacts via press release. Today, a historic law that would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families passed its first hurdle in the Wyoming House of Representatives by a 7-2 vote. House Bill (HB) …

Via press release: In the 2013 CEI, released today, a record 252 businesses achieved the top rating of 100 percent, earning the coveted distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” As a point of comparison, 13 businesses earned a 100 percent in the inaugural CEI 11 years ago, demonstrating that a new normal has arrived. The policies, benefits …