Spokane extends
DP benefits

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)