Anchorage To Grant Gay Partner Benefits

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/12/123005anchorage.htm

The city of Anchorage said Thursday that it will abide by a court order and provide health and other benefits to the same-sex partners of municipal workers.

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in October that it was unconstitutional to bar benefits to the same-sex partners of public employees. (story)

In overturning a lower court ruling, the state high court said "the public employers' spousal limitations violate the Alaska Constitution's equal protection clause."

Nine gay or lesbian government workers and their partners joined the Alaska Civil Liberties Union in 2002 in appealing the lower court ruling. It stemmed from a 1999 lawsuit filed against the state and the city of Anchorage after voters passed a constitutional amendment blocking state recognition of same-sex marriage.