Loading...
On-Air Promo Creative 115x175
|| News ||
Page 1 of 1

Ala. Rep. Wants End to Same-Sex Benefits

An Alabama legislator has drafted a bill aimed at keeping the state's public universities from offering employee benefits to same-sex partners.


DuWayne Bridges X180 (OFFICIAL) | ADVOCATE.COM

An Alabama legislator has drafted a bill designed to keep the state's public universities from offering domestic-partner benefits.

Republican state representative DuWayne Bridges says his bill is ready for the next session in January.

The legislation would prohibit public universities from receiving state funds if they offer benefits to same-sex partners.

“Universities may be free to engage in whatever liberal social experiments they choose, but they should do it on their own dimes and not the taxpayers',” Bridges said in unveiling the legislation, reports TheTuscaloosa News.

Bridges's bill is aimed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, which currently allow faculty and staff members to sign up for benefits for domestic partners of either sex.

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Facebook. Page 1 of 1
Reader Comments
  • Name: Joe Quiles
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 10:52:00 PM
    Hometown: Boston, MA

    Comment:

    I think we should stop the marriage discussion and file to make all marriages straight and gay civil unions. Let the church own marriage but the state and feds should just recognize civil unions. One system, equalt to all, the same for everyone. Marriage is for the church, not recognized by the feds or state, civil union for all. That way we can avoid the close minded bigots.

  • Name: Jester
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 9:54:39 PM
    Hometown: California

    Comment:

    Bridges' bill hurts all students of his state's public universities, since it will make it even harder to attract top-notch faculty to this academic backwater. One of the most challenging aspects of university administration is recruiting and retaining talented faculty. Unlike bankers, we're not exactly highly paid (many full professors never hit 6 figures in a career that requires an entire decade of post-secondary education), so universities compete for the best of us by offering good benefits and an intellectually rewarding work environment. Even in this economy, the competition for top candidates is fierce, and I can't imagine most academics being drawn to a school that discriminates against them or their colleagues (as demonstrated in the state of Michigan, which junior professors are leaving in droves).

  • Name: Nathan
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 7:16:54 PM
    Hometown: Franklin

    Comment:

    So much for being the party of staying out of people's lives.

  • Name: Jay
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 6:19:08 PM
    Hometown: Santa Monica

    Comment:

    I predicted that this would happen when the benefits were first announced. Considering how backward Alabama is, I doubt it will be possible to stop this bill. The only possibility might be to challenge the law if it is passed in the federal courts on the ground that the legislature is acting out of animus. As far as the state courts, fuggetaboutit: they are more reactionary than the legislature. It may be worthwhile for professional organizations to boycott the University of Alabama, but I doubt that they have enough balls.

  • Name: Jessica K
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 5:40:32 PM
    Hometown: NJ

    Comment:

    OK, Fine. Now all you queer's in Alabama don't have to pay taxes. Only fair!

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 5:38:16 PM
    Hometown: Tesuque

    Comment:

    I would like to remind this gentleman that gay residents of the state pay taxes as well. If he is going to use this ploy, then he better make all gay residents of the state tax exempt.

  • Name: Davya
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 5:23:54 PM
    Hometown: Wynnewood, PA

    Comment:

    The south is acting like an underdeveloped and uncultured society of peasants? I would have NEVER thought.

  • Name: Ben
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 5:04:23 PM
    Hometown: NY

    Comment:

    Heh Casey I was thinking the same. DuWayne looks like a sweet old grandpa in this photo. They should show him in his hood.

  • Name: Casey Cameron
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 4:57:54 PM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    He forgot to put on his white hood. Maybe he loaned it out.

  • Name: Skylar
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 4:34:04 PM
    Hometown: Bowling Green, KY

    Comment:

    I don't see how the far right can say they're not homophobic now. They've gone far beyond "protecting the sanctity of marriage." Now they're just being mean.



More Online Only
  • Photography Artist Spotlight: Didio

    São Paulo photographer Didio says he enjoys observing the daily life of normal men. If these photographs tell us anything, it's that Brazil has raised the bar on what defines normal.

  • DVDs Hot Sheet: Sade, Channing Tatum

    This week's hot sheet includes a movie about a gay romance in Jerusalem’s ultra-orthodox Jewish community... and shirtless performances by Channing Tatum and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

  • Books Jackie Collins Takes on Hollywood

    From overdoses to horny old men to gay guys landing leading roles, best selling novelist Jackie Collins runs her mouth... and it's juicier than ever.

  • Sports Weir Comes Out ... Against Anti-Fur Activists

    With one week to go before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, irrepressible men’s figure skating star Johnny Weir talks about the threats that led him to rip tufts of fur from his long-program costume.

  • Music Stephin Merritt Keeps It Real

    Stephin Merritt, the lead singer of the critically lauded group the Magnetic Fields, is one of the few openly gay artists in today's music world. Just don't call him "indie."

  • News Features The Strains of DADT on One Couple

    Andrew Cirner tells the story of his relationship with a military man, evading "don't ask, don't tell," a blackmailing ex-lover, and the extreme steps his mother took to save the day.

  • Sports Saints Linebacker Fujita Tackles Gay Marriage

    As New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita gears up for Super Bowl XLIV, Fujita talks to The Advocate about standing up for gay rights and against inequality, and about Tim Tebow's draft prospects thanks to Focus on the Family.

  • Commentary Mosbacher Family Affair

    Nanette Gartrell pays tribute to former Secretary of Commerce Bob Mosbacher, the father of her partner, Dee. Mosbacher, one of the Republican Party’s most successful fund-raisers, passed away in January. 

  • News Features The Faces of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

    Tuesday's Senate hearing sparked what promises to be the biggest discussion of "don't ask, don't tell" since the antigay policy was instituted in 1993. So The Advocate is spotlighting some of the biggest voices on both sides of the debate.

  • News Features They're Having a Baby

    Thomas Moore, husband to fellow transgender man Scott, talks to The Advocate about helping his spouse get through nine months of doctor issues, baby showers, and bellyaches.

  • Prop 8 Prop. 8 Plaintiffs Speak  

    Jeff Zarrillo and Paul Katami, two of the four plaintiffs challenging California’s Prop. 8 in federal court, talk to Advocate.com about their resolve (and occasional nerves) during the testimony phase of the trial.

  • Music The Grammy Awards in Pictures

    From Lady Gaga's many costume changes to Pink's wet and wild aerial act, take a look at the some of the highlights from Sunday night's Grammy awards.

  • Books Book Excerpt: The Play That Changed My Life

    Playwright Doug Wright, who was awarded the Pulitzer, a Tony, and a GLAAD Media Award for his play I Am My Own Wife, remembers how Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company inspired his illustrious career.

  • Activism Leaderless

    Porn impresario Michael Lucas looks for the country’s gay Martin Luther King Jr., and finds little to celebrate.

  • Society Life on the G-list: Episode 2

    It may be the most cliché line in all of Hollywood: “What’s my motivation?” And for actor David Moretti, motivation does not include having just conquered Britney, Beyoncé, or J.Lo.