Lexington city leaders will again consider domestic partner benefits for the city’s workforce. Benefits for same-sex partners and unmarried couples were last considered in 2003, when they were rejected by council.
Lexington Vice-Mayor Linda Gorton made the motion Tuesday (August 20) that resurrected the benefits.
“It’s been ten years since it was brought up back then and I think it’s time, you know with a new Supreme Court ruling and times are different and I think that we at least need to look at it and study it and see if it’s something we need to offer our employees.” --Linda Gorton
Gorton’s unsure of the cost of the additional benefits. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray added his support to the motion.
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“Jobs are so important and it’s essential that we leverage every competitive advantage we have in our city and providing the right benefits to attract talent to our city is part of that.” --Jim Gray
Gorton also says certain requirements for benefit eligibility a decade ago could still be a part of any new city policy today.
Gray and Gorton both argue many large universities and corporations offer domestic partner benefits. Gorton believes there are at least six council members ready to approve an expansion of employee benefits.