Proposed changes to employee benefits bolster inclusion on campus Feb 8, 2010
One component of the proposal is to provide same-sex domestic partners with $1,000 to offset the federal tax imposed on them but not applied to heterosexual couples. Cantor said Syracuse University is working toward creating a more inclusive community through the proposed changes. (Daily Orange, NY)
* US military willing to lift ban on gays Feb 4, 2010
Five states and the District of Columbia have adopted laws permitting marriage of gay couples, while nine other states have granted similar rights to gay domestic partners. The publics attitude toward gays and lesbians also has undergone a significant shift. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Signs of culture shift on gay issues Feb 3, 2010
Nine other states New Jersey, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Hawaii and Wisconsin have granted similar rights to gay domestic partners in varying degrees. A Pew poll taken last year found that 59 percent of Americans favor allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, up from 52 percent in 1994. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Defense officials say lift military ban on gays Feb 3, 2010
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, right, and Defense Undersecretary Robert Hale, testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP). (Albany Times Union)
'Don't ask, don't tell': Times, attitudes have changed Feb 3, 2010
Another nine states - New Jersey, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Hawaii and Wisconsin - have granted various degrees of similar rights to gay domestic partners. The public's attitude toward gays and lesbians has undergone a shift. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Legal issues taken into account for employee benefits proposal Feb 1, 2010
One proposed benefit enhancement included in the Sustainable Benefits report issued last week would provide a supplement of up to $1,000 to employees who have same-sex domestic partners enrolled in the university's medical plan. This proposed benefit was intended to recognize a tax impact that affects same-sex domestic partners but does not affect employee opposite-sex spouses who receive Syracuse University medical benefits. (Daily Orange, NY)
Pentagon starts clock on lifting gay ban Jan 30, 2010
He noted a bill is pending that would extend to domestic partners benefits such as granting Social Security survivor payments and allowing hospital visitation. Obama said: "My hope is we can get it done.". (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Boies Lands Verbal Punches on Ballot Measure Backer During Proposition 8 Trial Jan 22, 2010
After Boies had Tam acknowledge his support for domestic partnerships and civil unions, he had brought up a letter in which Tam claimed civil unions opened the door in Sweden to marriage between siblings ... "I said I support domestic partnership, not civil unions," Tam said ... Tam: "I don't know about civil unions, I support domestic partnership.". (Law.com)
Mayor: Gay Marriage Views 'Evolved' Jan 20, 2010
Lee Badgett, who also directs research for a gay-related think tank at the University of California, Los Angeles, added that research showed gay couples preferred marriage to taking advantage of domestic partnership laws ... Charles Cooper, another lawyer for Proposition 8 backers, countered that same number of couples registered as domestic partners in 2009 as 2008, even though same-sex marriage was legal in California during a four-month window before voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008 ...... (KSBW 8, CA)
Letters: Turn the tables to find real equality Jan 19, 2010
The Proposition 8 proponents claim that "domestic partners" have equivalent rights and privileges as do "married partners." ... 8 proponents domestic partnerships, and give the Prop ... Then we'll see how "equitable" they'll claim domestic partnerships and marriage really are. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Witness: Gay marriage made her feel like family Jan 17, 2010
Until then, they had been domestic partners. Zia's testimony was intended to show that California's domestic partnership law, which grants same-sex couples the rights of marriage but not the title or the federal benefits, is not an acceptable substitute. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Supreme Court to Consider Privacy Claims Jan 16, 2010
The high court will consider whether Washington state officials can release more than 138,500 names on a petition seeking a vote on overturning the state's domestic partnership rights ... "Opponents of domestic partnership laws argue they would be subject to harassment if their names are put on the Internet, which would ultimately discourage people from saying what they really believe on controversial issues." ... In Washington state, Referendum 71 asked voters to approve or reject the so-called... (CBS News -- Politics)
Couples tell of toll from state gay marriage ban as Prop. 8 trial begins Jan 12, 2010
He questioned what "disabilities" gays suffer from not being allowed to marry, and why registering as domestic partners is not an acceptable alternative. He said gay people hadn't had the right to marry "very long," and asked whether that "doesn't make a difference.". (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Who gets property after a death? Jan 10, 2010
Assuming you are not registered domestic partners, your partner will inherit your property only if you have named him or her in your will. Q: I am the executor of my deceased aunt's estate. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
