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NC: Asheville Votes 4-2 to Move Ahead on Domestic Partner Benefits

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

City Council took a key and controversial step Tuesday in extending benefits to the partners of gay municipal employees. The move followed pleas for and against the motion by gay and straight members of the Asheville Police Department, civic leaders, ministers and others. Passions ran high with police at one point removing a speaker from the council chambers, which was filled to capacity with 70 people.

The council voted 4-2 to have city staff report March 9 on how workers’ same-sex domestic partners could get the same benefits as heterosexual employees’ spouses, including health insurance, bereavement leave and prescription drug coverage. A majority of council members said they expect to vote for a final measure after the report.

Councilman Gordon Smith advanced the proposal, saying the change fit Asheville’s tradition of being a friendly and diverse city. “Tonight we can continue that tradition and provide equal compensation for equal work,” Smith said.

Full Story from the Citizen Times
Click here for gay marriage resources in North Carolina.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in asheville, city council, domestic partner benefits, nc, north carolina, vote | No Responses »

NC: Asheville to Consider Health Benefits for Partners of Gay/Lesbian Employees Tonight

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

A potentially polarizing vote is expected tonight on whether the City Council should extend benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. Councilman Gordon Smith is asking the council to move forward with the idea of giving same-sex domestic partners health insurance, bereavement leave and other benefits.

If a majority votes yes, city staff would come back to the council at a later date with information including estimated costs and who would qualify. A final vote on the measure could then follow. Granting the benefits would “provide equal rights to our employees who are denied the option to marry,” Smith said.

A majority of the seven-member council – whose makeup became more liberal after November’s election – have already said they support the idea and would likely vote for the ultimate extension of benefits.

Full Story from the Citizen-Times
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in asheville, bereavement, city council, domestic partners, health benefits, nc, north carolina | No Responses »

FL: South Miami Gives City Employees Domestic Partner Benefits

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

When South Miami Mayor Horace Feliu and Commissioner Valerie Newman are on the same page, you know the issue transcends politics. At Tuesday’s meeting, most commissioners voted to allow city employees’ domestic partners, whether straight or gay, to enjoy the same benefits and rights an employee’s spouse would get.

Newman and Feliu co-sponsored the ordinance, with Vice Mayor Brian Beasley and Commissioner Lew Sellars voting in its favor. Commissioner Velma Palmer cast the lone vote against it. The benefits include hospital visitation rights and healthcare coverage.

Commissioners gave preliminary approval to the measure at their Dec. 8 meeting.

Full Story from the Miami Herald

Click here for gay marriage resources in Florida.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in city council, domestic partner benefits, fl, florida, south miami, vote | No Responses »

DC: Vote on Gay Marriage Bill Tuesday

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Two states are expected to decide on whether to grant gay couples the right to marry before the end of the year, but gay marriage proponents are thoroughly sanguine about the District of Columbia, where passage of Council member David Catania’s gay marriage bill is expected to win approval on December 1.

Enthusiasm for gay marriage appears to be on the wane in New York and New Jersey after Mainers repealed a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers in the spring. Numerous New Jersey Democratic senators have expressed concern that now is not the time, while the New York Senate continues to delay action on a bill.

But the political consensus driving gay marriage in the District endures despite numerous attacks. City leaders have remained united on the bill, which is expected to win approval along a 10 to 2 vote at Tuesday’s meeting.

Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4929&MediaType=1&Category=26

Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in city council, dc, district of columbia, gay marriage bill, vote, washington | No Responses »

Tacoma Endorses R71, Domestic Partnerships

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Tacoma City Council has weighed in on a hot-button measure on the state ballot this year, one putting rights for domestic partners up for a public vote. On Oct. 20 eight members voted for a resolution endorsing approval of Referendum 71, with Councilmember Mike Lonergan abstaining.

During the 2009 session the legislature passed a bill giving domestic partners many of the rights enjoyed by married couples. It applies to same-sex and senior citizen heterosexual couples.

Opponents of the legislation gathered enough signatures to put the matter before voters for the final decision. A vote to approve Referendum 71 keeps the state law; a vote to reject will overturn it.

Full Story from Tacoma Weekly: http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3690

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in city council, domestic partnerships, ensorses, r71, referendum 71, supports, tacoma | No Responses »

Bellingham, WA City Council Endorses R71, Domestic Partnerships

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

In a fairly unsurprising session, City Council members passed resolutions opposing a government revenue-restricting initiative from Tim Eyman and backing a domestic partnership law.

The council unanimously, with Councilman Gene Knutson absent, approved a resolution opposing Eyman’s Initiative 1033, which limits the growth of certain city, county and state revenue to the rate of inflation and population growth.

Members also, in a 5-0 vote with Councilman Stan Snapp abstaining, passed a resolution urging voters to approve Referendum 71, which would enact a domestic partnership law that has been dubbed the “everything but marriage” law.

Full Story from the Bellingham Herald: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/localnews/story/1111499.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bellingham, city council, domestic partnerships, endorses, r71, referendum 71, washington state | No Responses »

Congress Unlikely to Block DC Gay Marriage Bill

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill said it appears unlikely that Congress will block a bill to be introduced Tuesday that would allow same-sex marriages in the District.

D.C. Council leaders have vowed to expedite the bill and said they hope to put it to a final vote before Christmas. But even if same-sex couples start marrying next year, the long-term survival of the practice would be in doubt for years, depending on the makeup of the House and Senate, congressional officials said.

“I hate to say this, but I think this is going to be rough sledding,” said Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.). “I don’t think [conservatives] are going to give us a pass. . . . I don’t think we can always escape this issue coming to the floor.”

Full Story from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/05/AR2009100503584.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bill, city council, congress, dc, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, override, washington | No Responses »

Seattle City Council Urges Approval of Ref 71, Domestic Partnerships

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

The Seattle City Council has approved a resolution urging voters to approve Referendum 71, the Washington State ballot measure that puts a gay-inclusive domestic partnership law up for a vote in November.

On Monday, lawmakers unanimously approved the resolution that backs the law dubbed the “everything but marriage” law by the media and passed it to Mayor Greg Nickels, a supporter of the law.

If passed, Referendum 71 would extend a 2007 domestic partnership law for a second time, granting gay and lesbian couples all the remaining state-provided rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage.

Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4612&MediaType=1&Category=26

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com with “subscribe blog” as the subject. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in city council, domestic partnership, Gay Marriage, r71, referendum 71, resolution, seattle | No Responses »