Action Alert

Urge your representatives to co-sponsor two significant domestic partnership bills, the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act (H.R. 2426) and the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 3006), just introduced in June.

BACKGROUND

While the right to marry for the GLBT community has faced many setbacks in the United States, there has been a recent glimmer of hope on Capitol Hill. Two bills have recently been introduced that will further GLBT rights. The Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act (H.R. 2426) and the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 3006), would provide equality for both gay and heterosexual partnerships in two areas that currently privilege Americans in heterosexual marriages.

The Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act (H.R. 2426) would allow federal employees to cover their domestic partner under their health insurance. GLBT employees deserve equal compensation for equal work and the opportunity to provide their families and loved ones with the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual employees.

To prevent abuse of the system, the bill includes a definition of a domestic partner, stating that he or she must be "an adult person living with, but not married to, another adult person in a committed, intimate relationship." To receive benefits, the partners must file an "affidavit of eligibility for benefits" that will certify that the employee and his/her domestic partner are, among other things, each other's sole domestic partner, not married to or domestic partners with anyone else, and that they share responsibility for a significant measure of each other's common welfare and financial obligations.

The Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 3006), formerly the Permanent Partners Immigration Act, would allow U.S. citizens to sponsor their same-sex partner for U.S. residency.

Currently, Americans with opposite-sex partners may petition for them to receive these benefits, but those with same-sex partners may not. Thousands of couples must consequently live apart or move to a country with more hospitable immigration laws. H.R. 3006 would grant same-sex partners the same rights as legally recognized spouses, by adding the term "permanent partner" to the list of definitions of "family" currently recognized by federal law. If passed, binational same-sex couples will have to meet the same requirements as binational married couples: they will be required to provide affidavits from family or friends or evidence of financial support as proof of the relationship.

ACTION

The Human Rights Campaign and other allies of the AHA have made progress in getting these bills introduced. Your representatives need to know hear your Humanist perspective: that this current inequality is ethically reprehensible. Contact your representatives and urge them to co-sponsor these important domestic partnership bills.

You can reach your representative by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak with her/his office. The House website www.house.gov also lists the direct office lines and e-mail addresses for every representative.

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