The axing of benefits for gays

The narrow vote by the Eastchester Town Board last week to stop offering health benefits to the partners of its gay employees has received little notice from other municipalities, school districts and companies in the region that offer the benefits. They said their decisions to recognize their gay workers have ignited none of the controversy created in Eastchester. [...]

In Eastchester, the school and fire districts have offered domestic partner benefits for gay employees for several years, which has attracted little notice. But the Town Board’s 5-0 vote to do the same in 2000 ignited a firestorm, fanned by a local group that gathered nearly 1,100 signatures on a petition opposing the decision and then led a campaign to defeat James Cavanaugh, the five-term town supervisor, in the 2003 elections. Cavanaugh lost a Republican primary by a narrow margin to Anthony Colavita, who voted for the benefits as a councilman but changed his position during the campaign. (source)

I read this story several days ago. Here, we have a town that gave benefits for gay partners years ago and has continued the process until recently. Now, they have rescinded those benefits for “financial reasons”. I see. When it’s convenient, you offer the benefits to the majority. When it’s not, you deny them to the minority. They would save more money by denying the benefits to the majority, but that would never go over well, would it?

In a couple of weeks, my company will begin seminars of a new benefit they will be offering. We have long term and short term disability along with medical and dental. This benefit would offer long term nursing care in the even of a catastrophic illness or accident. Long term care doesn’t offer nursing services, which can be very expensive.

On all of the benefits offered, none are available to us as a couple. None are offered to domestic partners. Not one. Well, I guess you could count the life insurance policy policy of which Kent is named as the beneficiary. But then again, I could have my cat as the beneficiary of that. Doesn’t it seem odd that I would be able to leave my cat the proceeds of my life insurance, but we don’t have access to couple benefits?

I went to Human Resources and asked them if the benefit would be extended to same-sex couples. They didn’t know, but would check for me. It’s pointless. I already know the answer deep down, but I want to hope just for a little while that it’s an option for me. I guess that’s dumb, but you see, I have a mind that wants to think that I’m ever bit as good and worthy as other citizens. I know, a crazy idea, and a waste of energy.

Kent is leaving in a couple of hours for Washington, D.C. for a meeting. I’ll drive him to the airport. He goes there 5-6 times a year for meetings, among other places. He will return Wednesday night.

We went to the gym this morning and had a good workout. I burned 350 calories. I distracted the guy next to me who was also gay so much that he dropped his CD player. That’s a good sign! :) I offered to buy him a new one if it broke because I was so distracting.

Guess that means I’m getting more in shape. I’ve lost ten pounds so far and counting. It’s not so hard once you get through the first week. And with Kent gone, it’s easy for me to stick to the diet.

We had an ice storm and the trees are covered in ice. This morning I took some photos of the sunlight sparkling through the trees. If they turn out well, I’ll publish some.