Discrimination in South Jersey...Here We Go Again

by: Juan Melli

Tue May 23, 2006 at 01:49:24 PM EDT

(Update: About 200 people showed up at the Cape May school board meeting tonight to show their support for Roberto - a massive crowd for the area. - promoted by jmelli)

Roberto Deane has been teaching elementary school in Cape May for 24 years, but because his partner is another man, the school district is denying his partner from receiving health benefits. If you're in the area, come out to support him tonight at the school board meeting at 8:00 pm at the Mitnick School, 905 Seashore Road, Cape May.

The domestic partnership law passed by the legislature a few years ago allows but does not require that government employees receive domestic partner benefits. Each county, municipality, school district, etc must decide whether to grant equal rights to their employees or to discriminate.

Juan Melli :: Discrimination in South Jersey...Here We Go Again

Although half of the state's counties have adopted domestic partner benefits, most municipalities and school districts have not. As a result, people like the late Lt Laurel Hester and teacher Lily McBeth are forced to fight this same battle over and over, often exposing themselves to months of hate-filled vitriol.

The frequency of these types of situations is an indictment of our "domestic partner" laws and their inadequate and piecemeal approach to equal rights. By 56%-39%, New Jersey is ready for marriage equality. Read that again and follow the link if you don't believe it. There are plenty of courageous individuals standing up to fight for their rights, but why is their bravery met with silence from the legislature? Why are most in the legislature so afraid to "lead" on an issue that the public has already taken the lead on?

The domestic partnership laws are a sorry excuse for equal rights. The only hope is that the Supreme Court recognizes that the legislature, ironically with strong opposition to marriage equality from Jim McGreevey, really dropped the ball on this.

Tags: Laurel Hester, Lily McBeth, domestic partner, marriage equality, Roberto Deane, (All Tags)

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Discrimination in South Jersey...Here We Go Again | 5 comments

he really did drop the ball (0.00 / 0)

This situation is intolerable -- it will be endless battles county by county, town by town, all at the expense of loving couples. The state really should be able to pass a sensible law that places the whole state on the same footing.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Tue May 23, 2006 at 22:54:56 PM UTC

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Keep in mind (0.00 / 0)

Cape May is the State's poorest county. It's south of the Mason/Dixon line. It has a high percentage of fundies. They are faith based as opposed to knowledge based. And if you were to carry a sign that reads God Hates Fags you could run for office and win. OK, maybe not that extreme, but Thank Zeus I'm a Democrat

Restore democracy and the Constitution for which it stands.

by: The Wizard @ Wed May 24, 2006 at 12:17:06 PM UTC

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Cape May is not the poorest county (0.00 / 0)

I think that unfortunate honor would go to Cumberland. Salem may even be behind Cape May.

by: Anzana @ Wed May 24, 2006 at 22:45:47 PM UTC

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Re: (0.00 / 0)

According to the US Census, you are correct. Cumberland County has a 14.9% poverty rate - slightly above the 14.5% for Essex. At 9.6%, Cape May isn't that much better off, but every point counts. Child poverty in Cumberland is at 20.8%.

by: Thurman Hart @ Thu May 25, 2006 at 02:05:23 AM UTC

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This was mentioned on Sirius OutQ radio just now. (0.00 / 0)

It's the gay channel on Sirius satellite radio. This was at the hourly news break during the Michelangelo Signoreli show, a great talk show "WAGING A WAR ON MEDIA STUPIDITY, FOUR HOURS EACH WEEKDAY". It's great.

I didn't catch everything that they said, but when they mentioned the name "Garden State Equality" my ears picked up.

They said something about protesting a school board, so this must have been what they were talking about.

So, hooray, national news!

by: Kire @ Wed May 24, 2006 at 20:55:17 PM UTC

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Discrimination in South Jersey...Here We Go Again | 5 comments