Teamsters local extends health coverage to spouse of lesbian

[kweerwolf]

In a decision gay rights advocates say is a first in New York, a lesbian couple from Bohemia has gained recognition for their Canadian marriage from a chapter of the Teamsters Union, which has extended health coverage to the retired employee's partner of 25 years.

The welfare fund of Teamsters Local 295/Local 851, which represents workers at Kennedy Airport, granted spousal rights to Marie Sardone, 59, who married Dolores Damone, 60, in Toronto in April. It's the first union in the state to recognize same-sex marriages performed in jurisdictions where they are legal, according to gay advocacy groups. The Teamsters are following the example of several other institutions, however, including the New York City and state retirement systems and several private companies.

"When people think of unions, they tend to think of them being somewhat socially conservative," said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, a civil rights group dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. "The Teamsters actually took an incredibly progressive step."

Calls for comment to the local Teamsters' offices, as well as to the administrator of the welfare fund, were not returned yesterday. A spokesman for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said the local funds set their own criteria for coverage.

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-liteam164428005sep16,0,6903044.story?coll=ny-health-headlines

[bluedawg12]

1. Good story- build the big tent the gay lobby and

unions. who knew?

[dsc]

2. actually there are many socially progressive unions

the NEA and AFT, both teacher's unions are very socially progressive.