GLBT Bill (in our favor) passes house subcommittee

[Bertha Venation]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/30/AR2009073003935_pf.html

By Joe Davidson
Friday, July 31, 2009

Reflecting changing national views on gay and lesbian relationships, a House subcommittee voted Thursday to extend employee benefits to the same-sex partners of federal workers.

The debate that preceded the 5 to 3 vote along party lines quickly moved beyond the federal workplace and into such fundamental cultural issues as religion, morality and the state of marriage -- heady stuff for a House Oversight and Government Reform panel that more typically deals with the arcane details of government employment.

The action by the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia would grant same-sex partners of federal workers the same benefits provided to spouses of workers, including health insurance and retirement and disability benefits. It would also subject partners to the same obligations of spouses, including abiding by anti-nepotism rules and financial disclosure requirements.

Subcommittee Chairman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.) said the bill promotes "the basic concepts of equity and fairness," while giving the government an additional tool in federal employee retention and recruitment. He also said the bill would place "the federal government on par with the private sector, where health insurance, retirement, disability and other benefits are already widely available to domestic partners."

[JitterbugPerfume]

1. This makes me very happy

they are coming around slowly but surely.


I never could figure out why they think giving you rights, and recognising your marriage could threaten mine.

[Initech]

3. A lot of that stems from fundie paranoia.

Really the "gay marriage will threaten mine!!! OMG!!!!!!!1!!!11!" is about as dumb of an argument as the whole "birther" controversy.

[taterguy]

2. Let's all celebrate by going to Olive Garden!

LOL

I kill myself