Mayor Greg Stanton voiced his support for domestic-partner benefits after the state’s request that the U.S. Supreme Court overturn those benefits for same-sex partners at the state level.
This week, Gov. Jan Brewer petitioned to the Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that allows state employees to keep their same-sex partner benefits.
Stanton commented that offering benefits, namely in health care, which serve the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community is not just “the right thing to do” but it’s also smart city management practice.
“We want to make sure we have the best work force and retain the best employees, something as simple as providing health care benefits, make sure that our gay and lesbian employees are not at a disadvantage,” Stanton said.
Back in September, Arizona was stopped from moving forward with a new law that would have cut off health benefits going to domestic partners of the same sex. That halt started the 90-day time frame in which Brewer would be able to come back for petition.
“There’s a lot of societal changes going on, and in my opinion they are very positive,” said Stanton of LGBT rights.
• Diana Martinez is freelancing this summer for the Ahwatukee Foothills News. Reach her at thedianamartinez@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @_dianamartinez.
