Date: Mon, 20 Mar 1995 14:41:43 -0500 From: David B. O'Donnell To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS Subject: (USA) Caltech-JPL Gay Benefits [ Send all responses to laser@PCHBBS.COM only. Any responses to the list or list-owners will be returned to you. ] Same-sex Benefits plan sparks controversy PASADENA- A decision by Caltech and JPL to extend family benefits to same-sex domestic partners has touched off a clash over issues of gay rights versus traditional family values. The policy,which takes effect May 1, will give health insurance benefits to same-sex domestic partners of employees in committed relationships. A Caltech spokesman said heterosexual domestic partners are excluded, because they have the legal right to marry and obtain the benefits. Because Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratories that it manages are the regions largest employers, opponents and supporters of gay rights agree that the policy could have far-reaching implications for the area. The policy drew criticism from Andy Paterson, a local Republican activist whose company, RIMTech Inc., works with JPL on public-private technology development projects. "My basic objection is the message that it sends to young people that gay sex is the same as marriage- --particularly since JPL is involved with the schools," Paterson said. "The way the new Congress is going, they should hunker down and concentrate on scientific excellence. They should take care of their knitting, so to speak." Several other major universities such as Stanford, Harvard and MIT offer domestic-partner benefits. "Many employers are now offering these benefits and doing so is consistent with Caltech's non-discrimination policy." Peterson said in a March 13 memo to employees announcing the change. But JPL aerospace engineer Glen Kissel said that's a poor justification. He faxed messages to five Republican congressional leaders asking them to forbid JPL from using federal space-exploration funds to pay for domestic partner benefits. "My federal tax dollars should not be used to provide benefits to homosexual partners," he said. "Our institutions should , in whatever way possible, help maintain heterosexual marriage as an ideal." "I think it is about time," said Alex Murray, an engineer at the lab. "I'd like to congratulate the management at JPL for making the choice. I think it's a courageous thing to do."