Date: Mon, 17 Apr 1995 10:33:52 -0500 (CDT)
From: Donald Teel <dteel@MINET.gov.MB.CA>
Subject: samesex partner benefits

Some information for your list of groups offering benefits to same sex 
couples.  The province of Manitoba has had sexual orientation as grounds 
for non-discrimination since 1986.  However it is the responsibility of 
individual employee groups to demand that their benefits reflect this.

In May, 1994, at the annual general meeting of the Manitoba Teachers' 
Society, the delegates overwhelmingly approved a motion that required the 
society, that represents all Manitoba teachers, to modify its employee 
benefits to extend benefits available to commonlaw couples to same sex 
couples.

This includes most of the benefits that are available to married 
couples.  As of this message, the urban school divisions in Winnipeg have 
begun to extend the benefits that are 100% employee paid (dental, 
supplementary medical) to gay/lesbian couples.  Some resistance has been 
expressed in rural Manitoba.

Please add this information to your listing.