Mayor Ralph Becker's proposal to create a domestic partnership registry is welcome news and should be endorsed by employers throughout Salt Lake City.
Westminster College offers all its employees and their families — including those in an unmarried relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment — a variety of benefits including health care and free tuition. Over half of the Fortune 500 companies make similar benefits available.
We feel an obligation to do that but also have a responsibility to ensure that people who claim that status are, in fact, domestic partners as the term is commonly used. While a married couple can provide evidence of their relationship to an employer, it is much more difficult for domestic partners. Under Mayor Becker's proposal, employers can determine the domestic status of a couple applying for benefits. Similar registries are in place in cities from Baltimore to Phoenix to Eugene and throughout California.
The mayor's proposal is designed to provide "all of Salt Lake City's residents the same level of equality, dignity and respect." But it has the additional benefits of helping employers determine who qualifies for the benefits. The Becker plan merits our support.
Michael Bassis
president
Westminster College