HELENA, Mont. - The Montana university system's policy of denying employees' gay and lesbian partners the health insurance available to married, heterosexual couples is unconstitutional, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision Thursday.
The policy violates the Montana Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law, the court said in reversing a 2002 decision by District Judge Thomas Honzel of Helena.
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/01/01/mtracker/news/66gl.txt
This is huge news in a state that seems to be producing much of the good political news lately. The Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of Jeanne Windham just a few days ago to give the Dems control of the State House and now this. This lawsuit has been kicked around in the state for several years and it's nice to finally have some closure and a positive outcome. Makes me proud of my home state!