State and City Clash Over Benefits for Gays
Jerome Post and Paul Renwick are a gay couple that moved from California to Kalamazoo, Michigan because the one of them needed a job that offered good health insurance. The couple already had family members in the city and Jerome had been offered a job. He was given the position assistant human resources director for Kalamazoo. His partner Paul suffers with chronic health problems, where the heath insurance is needed. However, Michigan appellate court rules that employers cannot offer heath insurance to same sex marriages because it is banned by Michigan constitution. The officials said it legitimized their marriage, therefore it is against the law. Attorney Mike Cox states, "In Michigan, marriage is recognized as a union between man and woman." The state Supreme Court is waiting to hear the case, but for the time being the benefits are not provided for the couple. The clash between the cities views and state's law is contradicting and this couple is stuck in the middle.
In my opinion, Jerome and Paul are being cheated out of the benefits that they deserve. If a couple made up of a man and a women had taken up the position, they would be granted the benefits with no questions asked. This law is a controversial issue that needs to be sorted out, so that an innocent gay couple can live their lives. This circumstance is a violation of the couples rights. The city and state need to come to a decision about what law they are going to enforce. A city cannot falsely "advertise" benefits for same sex couples unless it is legitimate. Even if the state doesn't recognize same sex marriages, a couple should not have their health benefits revoked, it's just not fair.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-na-samesex8jul08,1,7253844.story?ctrack=4&cset=true
4 comments:
i totally agree with your opinion. Just because a couple is gay does not mean they should be treated differently from a "normal" couple with a man and woman. Gays are human beings too and should deserve the same respect and rights everyone else has
I agree completely too. Unfortunately, this issue revolves all around the 'legitimacy' of same sex couples. Those who agree with the state's decision are those who don't see gay couples as legitimate couples entitled the the same rights as heterosexual couples. I personally this this is absolutely unfair, especially since this couple was given false information.
Same sex couples are still couples. It's a relationship between two human beings. It's not that different than a relationship between a man and a woman. The partners just happen to be of the same sex. There shouldn't be so much trouble created for gay couples. They should have the same rights and benefits as everyone else.
I agree that it's wrong to deny the rights of individuals if they really need it. People in a same sex marriage have equal rights to those in marriages with a man and a woman. However if same sex marriages are banned in Michigan, then they shouldn't have moved there and should've found a job elsewhere that supports same sex marriage.
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