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| Via Occupy Democrats |
George Soros vs Koch Brothers
NC: Domestic partnership benefits in limbo
In North Carolina, cities and counties that offer domestic partner benefits to employees are in limbo after voters passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
In some other states, such amendments have led to the end of domestic partner benefits for public workers. And that’s exactly what some families in North Carolina are afraid of.
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| Melissa, Moira, and Libby Hodges, left to right, pose in front of a Christmas tree. |
Ever since voters approved the constitutional amendment on May 8, Libby Hodges has worried about what could happen to her family’s health coverage. But she’s trying to put on a good face for her 4-year-old daughter, Moira.
“Sometimes it just happens that way,” Libby Hodges tells her daughter. “Like when you play a soccer game. … If I lose or win it’s okay.”
Libby works for the city of Durham, one of nine local governments across the state offering domestic partner benefits. Moira is on her insurance plan. But since Libby isn’t the little girl’s biological mom, that benefit could end.
Libby’s partner, Melissa Hodges, who gave birth to Moira, could add their daughter to her insurance plan. That would cost an extra $500 a month, a big hit to their budget. Melissa says they may have to move to a state where domestic partner benefits are assured.
“I’m going to stay on the lookout for jobs in all these various different places in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland,” says Melissa Hodges. “I was looking back at the list today of which states do we have all the same benefits and rights or at least as close as we can get.”
Southern Poverty Law Center sues VA on behalf of female soldier
From the Southern Poverty Law Center: Tracey Cooper-Harris served her country for 12 years in the U.S. Army. She received more than two dozen medals and commendations. She was honorably discharged in 2003. In 2010, Cooper-Harris was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disabling disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system. The Department of Veterans Affairs denied Cooper-Harris’ request for benefits for her partner, even though their same-sex marriage was recognized by California.
The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of Cooper-Harris and her partner, charging that the Department of Veterans Affairs discriminated against them by denying these benefits but granting them to spouses in heterosexual marriages. It also charges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional because it bans federal agencies from recognizing such same-sex marriages, denying these couples benefits available to couples in heterosexual marriages