San Francisco- The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld an injunction that temporarily maintains family health coverage for gay and lesbian employees of the State of Arizona until a court issues a final decision in the case.
Gov. Jan Brewer, is not happy; the conservative Republican, known for harsh anti-immigrant legislation, signed a bill in September 2009 that took away the benefits which had been granted by former governor Janet Napolitano through an executive order.
Lambda Legal represents seven lesbian and gay state employees—including from the State Department of Game and Fish and state universities—who are challenging a move by the Arizona Legislature to eliminate the equal health care benefits that they rely on to safeguard their families’ health—just as heterosexual workers do.
“Today’s decision by the Ninth Circuit means Arizona’s lesbian and gay state employees will not suddenly find themselves without vital family health coverage, for as long as the decision stands,” said Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Tara Borelli, who argued the case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in February. “Our clients are simply seeking equal pay for equal work. We’re confident that principle will continue to prevail as the case advances.” Read more.
Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Tara Borelli argued the case, with Daniel C. Barr, Rhonda L. Barnes and Kirstin T. Eidenbach of the law firm of Perkins, Coie, Brown & Bain P.A. as co-counsel. The case is Diaz (formerly Collins) v. Brewer.
