SLC Benefits Plan Aids More Straight Couples than Gay

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The majority of the 29 Salt Lake City employees who have signed up to take advantage of the city's new benefits plan have enrolled a heterosexual partner. That's ironic, given the primary opposition to an extended benefits plan came from people who oppose giving gay couples marriage-like benefits. Only six city employees have enrolled a same-sex partner for benefits.

Attorney Frank Mylar of the conservative Alliance Defense Fund says it's not ideal to offer benefits to unmarried straight couples, but it's better than singling out same-sex partners for benefits. The Alliance Defense Fund sued Salt Lake City over the mayor's original plan to offer benefits specifically to gay couples. The City Council countered with a proposal extending the benefit to mutual dependents regardless of sexual relationship and the Alliance Defense Fund withdrew its lawsuit. Last month, a Utah judge ruled the city's benefits plan does not violate Utah's gay marriage ban because benefits are based on employment, not marital status.

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