Allentown may soon become the first municipality in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley to offer medical benefits to partners of gay employees.
The Morning Call reports that a a domestic partnership bill introduced on Dec. 15, would make partners of gay and lesbian employees eligible for health benefits.
“This is about fairness and equality,” said council President Michael D’Amore, one of the driving forces behind the bill.
“Gay employees’ inability to get married in this state should not preclude them from getting health benefits.”
The bill is slated for a final vote as early as next month, and has broad support among council members, who say gay couples deserve the same benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.
To qualify for the benefits, the employee and partner would be required to provide the city with documents that show they live together and are jointly responsible for household finances.
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