Date: Wed, 29 Oct 97 20:47:28 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: NGLTF on Federal DP Benefits NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800-757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ................................................ NGLTF IN FAVOR OF BILL TO OFFER DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS TO FEDERAL WORKERS WASHINGTON DC---October 29, 1997---At a Capitol Hill press conference today, Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), together with 14 other lead co-sponsors, introduced legislation to make domestic partnership benefits available to federal employees. Under Representative Frank's proposal, the domestic partner of a federal employee would be eligible for benefits in the same manner and to the same extent as the spouse of a federal employee. The term "domestic partner" is defined to mean "an adult person living with, but not married to, another adult person in a committed, intimate relationship." This eligibility would extend to retirement benefits, health insurance, life insurance and compensation for work injuries. To be eligible, same or opposite sex couples would file an affidavit certifying, among other facts, that they are living together in a committed, intimate relationship, that they are responsible for each other's welfare and financial obligations and that they are not related in a way that would prohibit legal marriage in the state in which they reside. The proposed bill sets forth the process of eligibility for domestic partnership benefits and for the cutoff of such benefits if a partnership is dissolved. The following is a statement given by Helen Gonzales, Public Policy Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, at today's press conference: "NGLTF applauds Representative Barney Frank and the other 14 lead co-sponsors of this legislation which could just as easily be entitled 'The Workplace Equality Act.' "The proposal introduced today gives recognition to the diversity of families in our country. According to a 1991 U.S. Census Bureau report, fewer than 30% of American families fit the traditional definition of family -- that is, two heterosexual parents living with children under 18. Yet, it is this definition of family which is the key factor in determining the type and amount of benefits a federal worker and his or her family receives. "A married heterosexual federal employee with a spouse and child can be eligible for a host of benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, and participation in a federal employees' retirement program. Yet, another federal worker with a partner and a child who does exactly the same job would not qualify for the same benefits. That's the same as advertising a job in a newspaper saying "salespeople wanted: salary for married heterosexuals, $12 an hour, salary for unmarried heterosexuals and gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered persons, $7.20 per hour. We would all recognize that as unfair, illegal and discriminatory. "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has estimated that up to 40% of a worker's remuneration comes in the form of "fringe" benefits. Clearly, some federal employees are getting paid more than others when fringe benefit payments are included. It is time to stop this discrimination in how we treat similarly situated federal employees. The proposal by Representative Frank would, for the first time, provide equity in pay, including benefits received, for all eligible federal employees. NGLTF lauds Representative Frank's introduction of this legislation, which represents another step forward in the fight for equality for all. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may full;y participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .