I suppose it is one thing to deny pension benefits for same sex partners, but what about health benefits? Yes I know not all employers in the States offers benefits to families of employees, however, for those who do, they can easily discriminate against Gays. Take the State of Kentucky for example where a lawmaker there wishes to prevent public funded institutes like the University from granting health benefits to partners of same sex. ( see story )
While it appears that the United States would like the States to take the heat here, it is a Federal Obligation to protect its citizens, even from homophobic state legislatures. By not having a Federal Law and granting Equality to all USA Citizens, the Federal government is abdicating its constitutional obligations. That aside, the desire by this Kentuckian is just one more proof that Homophobia and Racism is alive and well in many parts of the United States.
If Gay’s had the right to same sex marraige, then the only choice open to employers would be whether to grant health benefits to partners, period. Discrimination against types of partners couldn’t happen and if they did opt to deny benefits to all married people, then perhaps decent Health Care might become a reality for ALL CITIZENS, instead of just those who can afford it.
This isn’t about luxuries here, this is about Life, about the right to pursue happiness, not about being rich or anything either. So when a nation ignores that, how can it claim any moral high road? Seriously think about this, as this isn’t about religion, it is about the Right to be who you are, the right to live free from persecution, from abuse. How the hell does allowing discrimination against any minority be called protecting one’s religious rights? No teachings of Christianity declare that hatred is a saintly quality or one even welcomed. So why are the religious zealots so intend on making it so?
If felons can get their pensions while serving time for selling their votes to special interests, surely Gays should be entitled to health care for their spouses?
