From Deseret News archives:
Same-sex benefits rejected
S.L. County Council splits 5-4 on emotional issue
And although Democratic council member Jenny Wilson tried to steer the vote away from party politics and marriage, the Republican councilmen who killed the move touted the recent marriage amendment as a barrier to giving same-sex couples full benefits.
"We did get a semblance of this in last November's vote. Our community did tell us then and there the nuclear family and this definition of marriage ought to have a different classification in our society," Councilman Cort Ashton said.
Councilman Michael Jensen added that Amendment 3, which passed by 54 percent in Salt Lake County to prohibit domestic unions for gay and lesbian couples, is too tightly linked to the issue of extending benefits to go against the majority of voters.
But Wilson and Councilman Joe Hatch, the two original backers of the proposal, said the question of insurance coverage for domestic partners is about fairness, not marriage.
Under Wilson's amendment, domestic partners and their children would be eligible for all the same benefits now granted to married employees including health, dental and life insurance, as well as extended funeral leave and sick leave to care for a dependent.
Those benefits would have been extended to domestic partners who have shared the same residence for a year and are jointly responsible for living expenses.
"Those who have an alternative lifestyle go every day to their job as deputies and firefighters and work their hearts out for this county," Councilman Randy Horiuchi said. "To deny the same kind of rights and benefits is dead wrong in the issue of fairness. Today is a vote on how we treat our employees."
Jan Donchess, a 20-year county employee and head of the county's Gay and Lesbian Employees Association, attended Tuesday's meeting expecting Salt Lake County to become the first Utah government to offer benefits to same-sex couples.
"If Salt Lake County wants to be a leader, today they had that opportunity and they blew it," she said.
Offering those benefits would have "done a great deal" for many county employees, many of whom have children who also need coverage, Donchess said.
Comments
- China activist gets 3 years in prison 10:05 a.m.
- Greenhouse gases hit record in '08 10:02 a.m.
- Home sales data carry stocks higher 10:00 a.m.
- KSL: Purses dirtier than bathrooms 9:41 a.m.
- Brazil wins volleyball championship 9:23 a.m.
- Action to be taken in soccer scandal 9:23 a.m.
- No charges against Tennessee safety 9:21 a.m.
- 4 U.S. die in Afghan attacks 9:21 a.m.
- NFL shifts in handling concussions 9:20 a.m.
- October home sales rise 10.1% 9:20 a.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
207 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
199 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
162 - BYU records with win
130 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
129 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
102 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
Uphold the law - if you are in the country illegally - just as all other...
'Gays' parades offensive' - Title of article. So, following that logic,...
JD has what I believe to be a better team than this 09 team... JD will be 3-A...
RE:::: "I'm Glad" -You mean that big game that will determine who gets to...
The will be a close game but Utah will win simply because they are the better...
Karl was the most physical player the leage will ever see, he put fear in...
JW Morrison, I was quoting convicted sex offenders, child pornographers and...
How come the Rebels are not ranked? Our coach comes from Utah.
These parades offend most people and should be banned. It is time for the...
Just to let you know how little you know about the bcs and college football....



You can be the first to comment on this story.