Is this discrimination?

Question

This morning we had a meeting at work. It was about our health insurance, during the meeting we were told that now the insurance is avaliable to same sex couples( life partners). This means that if were gay, and lived with my partner for at least 12 months , he could be covered under my insurance. Anyway I asked if my girlfriend that I have lived with for 2 years could be covered, and I was told no we had to married. I just think this is wrong

Answer 1

it does sound wrong.they should be together 7 years like man and woman

Answer 2

It's really not discrimination when they have statistical reasons, and they probably do.

As was pointed out, the same sex couple probably can't get married in your state, so to be "fair", they give them the opportunity without requiring them to make a trip to Vermont, which might not be recognized in your state even if they did. You, however, can get married if you want to.

As far as the statistical differences, they simply don't want to add your girlfriend to coverage because then they take on the risk of pregnancy coverage.

Answer 3

Let me guess, you live in a highly liberal democratic area? Well, this is the kind of world the democrats want to create. Where Gays/Lesbians less than 1% of the total population is given preferential treatment, while a guy trying to get ahead in life gets stomped on. See ya at the polls my friend! :)

Answer 4

No. You have the option to get married. They can't get married, so they get thrown this bone of "life partners". I guess your only avenue is to ask the question already (2 years!) or fight for gay marriage in your state until your coworker and his partner are forced to make the same awkward decision as well.

Answer 5

I don't think it's discrimination, but it is what we can expect to see as people's minds open up and they start to be more welcoming to those they don't understand.

Your company is obviously trying to recognize that even though the govt. doesn't allow same sex marriage, they will honor the relationship of the couple.

However, they need to better define what counts as a relationship. It doesn't seem fair that a gay couple can live together and be covered, since it is impossible for them to marry, but you have to be married and not common-law husband and wife.

Answer 6

Yes this is legal. Unmarried heterosexual couples are not a protected group. Neither are homosexual couples. The employer is free to implement whatever policy they think is fair. In this case you have chosen of your free will to work for a company who has a policy you disagree with and now you need to do a gut check and decide if you want to stay working for them, or try to convince them that the policy is not fair to you, or just accept it.

Answer 7

The practice is discriminatory, but not in the conventional sense. The line has been crossed and soon people will want coverage for their "one night stands."

Political correctness has run amok.

Answer 8

It is not only discrimination, you could probably sue and win. You should get a copy of the policy and talk to the eeoc in your area.

Answer 9

Damn, that is messed up. I think that is there because it's still illegal for gay couple to be married, otherwise it'd be the same rule as it is for you and your girlfriend.

Answer 10

You were misinformed.

Any company that has "domestic partner" coverage will cover couples -- same sex or not.

See if you can find someone in your company's Human Resource department that has half a brain.