A step in the right direction: City of Austin Offering Same Sex Benefits

Good news for those same sex partners of city workers. According to the Austin American Statesman, same sex partners of city workers will receive COBRA like benefits in case of employee's death, divorce, job loss, etc. While Texas has given domestic partners benefits since 2006, same sex partners have not been able to receive COBRA like benefits since COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) is a federal program. Since it is federal, it is affected by the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines a 'spouse' as a member of the opposite sex. Therefore, same sex partners were unable to get any benefits in case of their significant other's death or other life events occur. The City of Austin is extending benefits akin to what COBRA would offer.

While this is sure to draw some ire from the social conservatives remaining in Austin, it can definitely be seen as a step in the right direction for equality for all Austinites and will be very helpful to same sex couples in these trying times who will have one less thing to worry about now.