NC: Asheville Votes 4-2 to Move Ahead on Domestic Partner Benefits

City Council took a key and controversial step Tuesday in extending benefits to the partners of gay municipal employees. The move followed pleas for and against the motion by gay and straight members of the Asheville Police Department, civic leaders, ministers and others. Passions ran high with police at one point removing a speaker from the council chambers, which was filled to capacity with 70 people.

The council voted 4-2 to have city staff report March 9 on how workers' same-sex domestic partners could get the same benefits as heterosexual employees' spouses, including health insurance, bereavement leave and prescription drug coverage. A majority of council members said they expect to vote for a final measure after the report.

Councilman Gordon Smith advanced the proposal, saying the change fit Asheville's tradition of being a friendly and diverse city. “Tonight we can continue that tradition and provide equal compensation for equal work,” Smith said.

Full Story from the Citizen Times
Click here for gay marriage resources in North Carolina.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.