News
2006-02-01
Legislator jeered
over lawsuit challenging domestic-partner benefits
An
Ohio legislator who filed a lawsuit challenging Miami
University's same-sex benefits policy was applauded by
An
Ohio legislator who filed a lawsuit challenging Miami
University's same-sex benefits policy was applauded by some
but mostly heckled at a forum to discuss the court
case. Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr., a Republican from
Cincinnati, sued the university in November, asking
Butler County common pleas court for a ruling that the
school's domestic-partnership benefits policy violates
Ohio's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, passed
by voters as an amendment in 2004.
Monday's forum, sponsored by Miami's College
Republicans, drew about 400 people and was preceded by
a rally of 150 students and faculty who support the
school's benefits policy. Assistant professor Lisa Poirer
said she'd have to quit her job and find another one that
provides health insurance benefits for her partner if
Brinkman wins his lawsuit.
Brinkman told the forum's audience that his
lawsuit is about preventing Miami from creating
something that looks like same-sex marriage, which is
illegal. He noted that Miami doesn't offer the same benefits
to unmarried, opposite-sex partners. "You've either
got to give it to everybody, or don't give it to any
of them," Brinkman said. "All we're asking is that
Miami University follow the law." As a father of two
Miami students and a taxpayer, Brinkman has said he doesn't
want his tuition and tax money going to support the policy.
Brinkman is represented in the lawsuit by
Cincinnati attorney David Langdon, who wrote the
marriage amendment language. He's also being
represented by the Arizona-based Christian legal group
Alliance Defense Fund. In December, the university
asked that the suit be dismissed, calling Brinkman's
interpretation of the state constitution "erroneous."
Miami began offering domestic-partner benefits
to same-sex couples in July 2004, four months before
voters approved the amendment. The policy gave gay and
lesbian partners of faculty and staff access to health
and dental insurance, tuition remission, and ticket
discounts. About 30 people took advantage of the
benefits, a university spokesman said, at a cost of
about $100,000. Overall, the school pays $50 million in
annual benefits for faculty and staff. (AP)
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