Judge Blocks Arizona Law That Would Eliminate Domestic Partner Benefits For Gay State Workers

PHOENIX — A federal judge is blocking Arizona from implementing a state law that eliminates domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian state employees.

U.S. District Judge John Sedwick on Friday issued a preliminary injunction that requires the state to still make family health insurance available to gay and lesbian state employees who have established relationships that meet standards set under state administration rules.

The judge also dismissed part of a lawsuit challenging the prohibition but left another part intact, allowing the suit to continue.

The Legislature included the prohibition in a budget law enacted last September.

Comments

[Rooster Coburn]

08:40 AM on 07/28/2010

Traditionally, having sex outside of marriage and engaging in homosexual acts was against the law in all, or virtually all states. While it was extremely rare for anyone to get arrested for these things, let alone be sentenced to jail, it did serve as a public announcement of our common moral values and beliefs. The word "demoralize" means, literally, to remove a society's moral standards. Let's maintain our traditional Judeo-Christian standards, practices and beliefs.

[brklynivn]

11:32 PM on 07/28/2010

So the law is there to terrorize?

[William Stephens]

05:46 PM on 07/27/2010

Boy, watch out in AZ - if you're a gay hispanic you better have papers all over you when they start all the witch hunts! *rolls eyes*

[Jezebelle75]

04:42 PM on 07/27/2010

Arizona: The Home Base for Intolerant Old White People
State Motto: GET OFF MY LAWN!!

[William Stephens]

05:40 PM on 07/27/2010

State Bird - the Buzzard
State Song - "Here's a Quarter (call someone who cares)"
State Tree - White Ash

[wyldthings]

03:59 PM on 07/26/2010

I also live in a Bigoted State that has benefits for domestic partnerships, but will not allow them to marry. So I ask you what is the difference between Arizona and California. Is giving Domestic rights O.K but denying marriage not the same bigotry! Boycott California!

[Jezebelle75]

05:25 PM on 07/27/2010

Oh, but don't you understand, marriage is a "sacred" union between a MAN and a WOMAN....so sacred that half of them end in divorce, while many gay couples I know have been together for 25+ years.

[oafishcad]

02:36 PM on 07/26/2010

Arizona has some really beautiful places to go. But for some reason People in this state seem to think rights get handed out like party favors. They forget that the Constitution guarantees that all citizens will be treated equally under the law. But I guess that position, that equality and rights are not guaranteed, are not American, are a standard message of the far right extremists who've taken over the conversation.

[WhatTheHolyHeck]

03:08 PM on 07/26/2010

They have a very strange notion that there is a certain point in history that reflects exactly the correct set of rights allowable, almost as if they've never actually read the constitution, and haven't even heard of the 9th amendment.

[TheGreyDuck]

12:52 PM on 07/26/2010

Okay, so one of my best friends just came out to me and I can't talk to any of my friends about it or put it on Facebook. But I just want to express how happy I am for him! I figured a gay related article on HP would be a good place to start. YEAH!!!!! He's gonna be so much happier now, I'm thrilled! And the best part, he doesn't live in AZ!

[claudiam]

12:30 PM on 07/26/2010

Arizona is now fighting the last big social issue. Pathetic. claudiatucsonaz

[Cash4Gold]

11:53 AM on 07/26/2010

"Not in Arizona!!!" The bastion of hope and tolerance. Oh wait... yeah not surprised at all.

[messy]

11:27 AM on 07/26/2010

As long as they're not illegal immigrants, that's fine with me.

[bluntobject]

01:55 PM on 07/26/2010

Obsess much?

[Jezebelle75]

04:54 PM on 07/27/2010

I'm sure all the bigots in AZ are relieved to hear that you've finally signed off and given your ok to block that ban on gay benefits.

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

11:19 AM on 07/26/2010

Arizona , the state with the most, disfunctional people of government. I am embrassed for the people of Arizona.

[gladhart1]

11:03 AM on 07/26/2010

Since we are legislating "SIN" - How about all of those old white people living in sin so they could both collect their full government issued social security checks. Shouldn't they all be married?

[newtom]

11:02 AM on 07/26/2010

AZ is overpopulated by Mormons and fundies of all types. Remember, this is the state that didn't want to add MLK Day to the state's calendar, too. The state that has taken immigration policy into their own hands and now is trying to eliminate these benefits. They have a track record of prejudice. Just one more thing. Eventually, they'll start coming after YOU and there won't be anyone left to stand up for rights.

[rsheeran]

10:53 AM on 07/26/2010

What a lovely State. I think I'll go spend my vacation dollars in Arizona. Such welcoming and friendly people.

[William Stephens]

05:41 PM on 07/27/2010

My point exactly. Don't they realize how much money they're dumping? I'd rather spend my vacay in Kansas. Except for I live there. :)

[ANuttyReader]

10:01 AM on 07/26/2010

First mexicans now gays, who's next?

[Euterpe360]

10:06 AM on 07/26/2010

Can we just vote Arizona out of the union already. Sorry for you guys in Arizona who aren't going along with this. I'll give you a week to get out and then were selling your state to Uganda.

[formerroadie]

01:49 PM on 07/26/2010

If we do, please send Texas with them.

[bluntobject]

01:59 PM on 07/26/2010

Well the right wing krisstyons would just love that. Cheap labor, uneducated people who they can exploit, and death sentences for gay people. All within a stone's throw of Sin City itself. How they'll LOVE it.

[joselopez]

08:10 AM on 07/26/2010

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Except of course if you are gay!! You would believe our country has matured enough to realize being gay is not a choice and those who are should be afforded the same rights we all have and cherish!!

[DevonTexas]

08:35 AM on 07/26/2010

I only accept the "choice argument" from stra8 ppl who can tell me they chose to be gay and are living that "lifestyle". Otherwise, it's a smokescreen.

[Jim281]

11:41 AM on 07/26/2010

FAVED

Yeah. Really! Who among us would "choose to be different in a manner that is widely perceived to be unacceptable?"

Maybe people like Larry "thunderbox" Craig?