Lancaster, Pennsylvania mayor OKs same-sex benefits for gay city employees

Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray [pic] maintains that he supports the institution of marriage. Which is why, until Pennsylvania broadens the definition of marriage, he supports the city acting on its stated principles of diversity, equality and fairness in extending health and other benefits to same-sex domestic partners of city employees. Gray said the issue was raised only because Pennsylvania legislators have not extended the right to same-sex couples. The policy allows gay city employees to seek the same health care and other employment benefits for their partners that are now available to employees and retirees with straight spouses. Those seeking benefits are required to provide documentation verifying that they have cohabited with their partner, been jointly responsible for each other’s living expenses for at least a year and cannot legally marry. “We are recognizing domestic partners because we believe this is the right and fair thing to do,” Gray told council members in announcing the policy.

[via LancasterOnline.com]