Lawmaker blasts plans for same-sex benefits at UA Huntsville

UA Huntsville is under fire from a state lawmaker who called on the university to drop plans to extend benefits to same-sex partners.

[Lynne Sangster]

Same-sex benefits should be the law of the land land not just at UA Huntsville. It is unfortunate that lawmakers are not for equality for all. I want same-sex benefits to happen everywhere.

[UAH Student]

This is just another way for people to cheat the system. Since same sex marriages are not recognized in this state and many others, there is no legally binding way to prove you are with your "partner". Anyone could claim they are gay just to receive these benefits and there would be no way to check the validity of their relationship. With the economy the way it is right now, everyone, especially broke college students, are trying to save money any way we can. But this is a bit of a stretch...

[Resist Ignorance]

UAH Student wrote:

This is just another way for people to cheat the system. Since same sex marriages are not recognized in this state and many others, there is no legally binding way to prove you are with your "partner". Anyone could claim they are gay just to receive these benefits and there would be no way to check the validity of their relationship. With the economy the way it is right now, everyone, especially broke college students, are trying to save money any way we can. But this is a bit of a stretch...

"college students"? This has noting to do with college students. This affects only the faculty and staff, I'm sure that's a fairly small number of people. Do you want to graduate from a backward university or a forward looking school like so many others in this country? Nearly every major university in the country, nearly ever fortune 500 company and hundreds of municipalities across the country are now offering SS benefits to their employees, most within the passed few years.

I take it by your comments that you are a conservative and therefore probably a republican. Then you are in favor of a market driven economy. Well, how can UA Huntsville attract first rate employees by offering state mandated second rate benefits?

Is Representative Bridges destined to be our next George Wallace? Bridges says that he is concerned about the state's budget. Well, let's see how concerned about the budget he is the next time legislative pay raises come up!

You really do disappoint me, I thought better of the people of HSV. Hopefully, you are not from around here!

[Resist Ignorance]

Lynne Sangster wrote:

Same-sex benefits should be the law of the land land not just at UA Huntsville. It is unfortunate that lawmakers are not for equality for all. I want same-sex benefits to happen everywhere.

"I want same-sex benefits to happen everywhere". I approve of this statement 100%.

First off, Lynne, I am not gay and I do not know, nor do I care if you are or not. I applaud the Alabama schools for their efforts to offer SS benefits and I applaud you for your stand for equal rights. It is a progressive and enlightened step. And isn't that what universities are supposed to be about?

The First Amendment has taken a beating over the passed few years. Right wing politicians and religious organizations have been working hard to have their doctrine infused into civil law. They demand that their concerns be addressed as far as speaking out against or preaching against homosexuality. It always makes me wonder if they have ever heard of the First Amendment. They already have those protections.

Then, there are those that say that marriage is a religious sacrament. Of these people I ask : does the church grant, tax benefits, inheritance benefits, pension benefits, Social Security Survivor benefits or any of the other 1138 GOVERNMENT granted benefits that "opposite marriage" couples get? The answer, of course, is NO! Then what legal benefits does the church, any church, offer a couple? Well, none.(Actually, marriage was not sanctified by the church until 1215)

'Marriage is a privilege, not a right'; "Marriage is not a civil right'.

Not according to the SCOTUS decision in 1967 in Loving vs Virginia!

"Marriage is one of the 'basic civil rights of man,' fundamental to our very existence and survival...."

So, how is it that our government, our courts and even our president, who was a Constitutional Law Professor, can ignore the violation of the Fourteenth Amendment (Equal protection of ALL CITIZENS under the law)?

Lynne, I wish you the best. I hope that you take your belief in equality all the way to the finish line. You and people like you are our future.