LOSS OF MICH. SAME-SEX BENEFITS PLEASES, PROVOKES: From the Flint Journal

Local gay rights advocates voiced shock and dismay after hearing that about 30,000 state workers will be denied same-sex benefits that had been agreed upon in new union contracts. ...

The contracts, which would have offered domestic partner benefits to state employees for the first time, will affect most of the state's unionized work force unless a court decides to the contrary before the agreements go into effect Oct. 1.

Officials at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University have said they will continue to provide the benefits, The Associated Press reported. The universities say that as autonomous entities of the state, they're exempt from the constitutional amendment.

But Cropsey said he's confident similar benefits will disappear from future contracts at public universities, municipalities and local school districts that now offer them. ...

One of those who could be affected is Linda Campbell of Flint, a Michigan State University instructor who shares domestic partner benefits with Lucy Mercier, chair of the social work department at Saginaw Valley State University. The women have two sons, Robert, 9, and Andre, 2.

"I feel betrayed by the people who said this wasn't going to happen if Proposal 2 passed," she said. "They lied, and they knew they were lying when they
made their case. It was devious, underhanded and dishonest, but I guess they believe the end justifies the means." ...

"There is nothing in the amendment that prevents the state or any other public employer from offering benefits to anyone it chooses," Glenn said. "But it cannot be based on singling out someone for benefits based on a homosexual union.

"If the state can't afford to let an employee put a sick grandmother on their health insurance, why should they be able to single out a homosexual partner for benefits?"

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posted by Eve at 6:11 PM | link

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