Beleaguered New
Orleans gays and lesbians who rely on their partners'
city employee health benefits were relieved Monday when a
Louisiana appeals court threw out a second attempt to
take those benefits away. The court of appeal for the
fourth circuit of Louisiana upheld a 2004 lower court
ruling that defended New Orleans's
domestic-partnership registry and health insurance
benefits for the partners of city employees.
The antigay
Alliance Defense Fund led the drive to take away the
benefits, which have been in effect since 1997. The
domestic- partnership registry, which allows for gay
couples to make a public commitment to each other, was
established in 1999. The Alliance Defense Fund's
effort to strip away benefits came as New Orleans recovers
from the devastating physical and financial effects of
August's Hurricane Katrina. "This ruling is not
only good for our clients but good for the city of New
Orleans, since it helps the city remain competitive in
attracting and keeping gay and lesbian employees
during these difficult times," said Brian
Chase, lead attorney for Lambda Legal, the gay legal
advocacy group that worked on the case. (Advocate.com)