PRIDE AT WORK
Dear
Pride @ Work Deplores Michigan Court Decision Barring Domestic Partnership for Public-Sector Workers
WASHINGTON, DC- Pride @ Work, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) constituency group of the AFL-CIO, deplored today?s decision by the Michigan Supreme Court against domestic partner benefits for the same-sex partners of public employees.
"It is unfortunate that the high court chose to put the most discriminatory possible interpretation on the state constitution," said Cheryl Bollinger, co-vice president of Pride @ Work and a leader of P@W's Michigan chapter.
"Fortunately, Pride @ Work has led the way in developing flexible alternatives to domestic partner benefits that would allow public employees to designate an adult beneficiary for health and other benefits," Bollinger added. "We hope that public-sector employers in Michigan will move quickly to implement such a designated beneficiary system."
"This a fundamental compensation equity issue," Bollinger said, "and Michigan is best served when all employees, regardless of their affectional orientation or gender identity, have equal access to benefits which protect their families,"
The Michigan Supreme Court's action also pointed to the dangers posed by right-wing ballot initiatives to prohibit same-sex marriage in several other states. While proponents of such measures to ban marriage equality often argue that they will not affect negotiated domestic partnership benefits, today's decision shows otherwise. Public-sector workers from Florida to California, where such initiatives are under way, could face the loss of benefits for their partners.
"It's time for the entire labor movement to rise to the defense of LGBT workers," said Pride @ Work co-President T Santora.
The Michigan Supreme Court decision upheld an appellate court ruling that a 2004 amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage also prohibits health insurance and other benefits for LGBT families.
Pride @ Work filed suit on behalf of its Michigan members after municipalities and other public employers began dropping domestic partner benefits in the wake of the 2004 state constitutional amendment. A trial court ruled in favor of Pride @ Work?s suit, but that decision was overturned by a state appeals court.
Michigan's courts have grown increasingly conservative since three-term Republican Governor John Engler appointed right-wing jurists to the state bench.
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For further information, please contact Pride at Work Executive Director Jeremy Bishop at 202-637-5014, or
[email protected], or Pride at Work Communications Director Donna Cartwright at 202-637-3988 or
[email protected].