The Spokane,
Wash., city council has approved extending benefits to
unmarried partners of city employees, if their labor unions
want to negotiate for those benefits. After nearly three
hours of emotional testimony, the council voted 5-2 in favor
of the "domestic-partnership benefits" ordinance. "It's
about respect, dignity, justice," said council president
Dennis Hession, who sponsored the measure and won enough yes
votes to override any potential veto by Mayor Jim West, who
has previously said he's against the measure.
Hession was joined by council members Joe Shogan,
Cherie Rodgers, Al French, and Mary Verner. Council members
Brad Stark and Bob Apple voted no. Stark said he was worried
about costs of extending benefits. Apple also worried about
costs and said he found the measure morally suspect, since
unmarried employees could use the benefits as a lure to
entice a partner into a relationship.
During testimony, supporters said extending benefits
was a matter of workplace equity. Opponents warned that such
steps undermine the institution of marriage and put
government in the position of condoning alternative
lifestyles. Opponents also said the change was against God's
will. "I hate to get God into it," Rodgers replied.
The ordinance would allow domestic partners to obtain
health care benefits, city-sponsored life insurance, and
pension rights. Employees could take paid leave from work to
attend to emergencies or illnesses involving their partners.
To qualify, employees and their partners of the same or
opposite sex would have to submit an affidavit declaring
their domestic relationship.
Morality was a major focus in Monday's debate. Mary
McDowell said the measure would condone fornication. "What
in the world are you people doing?" she asked. Patrick
McCord said the ordinance endorses "the perversion of
homosexuality." That brought a response from Chris Erickson,
who said: "I am a gay youth. This is not a choice for me. I
don't see why I am discriminated against." (AP)
