{crossposted from The Blend}
(One of my blogger colleagues from the western part of the state, Gordon Smith of Scrutiny Hooligans, is hard at work running for City Council in Asheville. He's a strong ally on the issues. - promoted by Pam Spaulding)
Asheville, North Carolina is an oasis of lush mountains, diversity of thought, historic architecture, and world class arts and music. Asheville is also home to an incredible LGBT community - creative, professional, confident, and diverse. Despite our liberal reputation, Asheville has never opted to seek equality for the thousands of same-sex couples in our city. In the past forces have marshaled to deny those rights in the name of sectarian religious beliefs.
My name is Gordon Smith. I'm a candidate for Asheville City Council, and I'm going to lead the way to pass domestic partnership benefits and seek a marriage equality resolution like the one Durham passed recently. If this issue is important to you, then I'm asking for your support. Institutional bigotry and discrimination have no place in government.
While we’re working on the state and national stage towards marriage equality for same-sex couples who want the same rights as their heterosexual equals, the City of Asheville can take a step toward equality by offering same-sex health benefits to its employees.
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City employees are currently empowered to include their spouses on their health plans and can take bereavement leave in the case of a spouse’s death. Same-sex couples, even if legally married in another state, are not eligible.
The gay and lesbian citizens of Asheville deserve equal recognition and equal benefits. To deny these benefits is to relegate gay and lesbian couples to second-class status. We all know that Asheville is a gay-friendly city, and our city government ought to reflect our commitment to honoring the civil rights of all our citizens.
Cities across America have included domestic partnership benefits in their health plans, and many have gone a step further to require that contractors provide domestic partner benefits as well. Given Asheville’s vibrant gay and lesbian culture, recognizing their committed relationships is the only just way forward.
Social justice benefits everyone, and the current inequity is a stain on Asheville’s aspirations.
If you are passionate about equality, please support my campaign for Asheville City Council.