The
Tampa Tribune
April 9, 2008
Group Targets Domestic Partnership Protections
By Ellen Gedalius
TAMPA - A group that bills itself as trying to "improve
and protect our moral environment" is taking aim at the
city's policy extending benefits to domestic partners.
David Caton, executive director of Florida Family
Association, said he and some sister organizations are
looking for a domestic partnership benefit program to
challenge, either politically or legally. He wouldn't
name the other organizations or governments whose
policies the group is reviewing.
The group has been peppering the city of Tampa with
public records requests about the domestic partnership
policy.
Caton says domestic partnership benefits violate the
Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits same-sex
marriage.
"We're looking at the total cost to the actual
taxpayers," Caton said. "We want to challenge the one
that costs taxpayers the most and is most violative of
the Defense of Marriage Act."
In 2004, Mayor Pam Iorio signed an executive order that
extends city insurance benefits to the domestic partners
of city employees. Applicants must show they have lived
with their partners for more than six months and intend
to remain partners. The policy went into effect Jan. 1,
2005.
Homosexual and heterosexual couples are eligible for the
benefits.
The city has 63 employees signed up for domestic partner
benefits, but pays additional costs for only 27 of them,
amounting to just more than $70,000 a year.
Caton said he might file a challenge in court, though he
hasn't ruled out taking the issue to the city council.
"Now's the time to challenge that budget item," Caton
said.
On Tuesday, Iorio said she stands by the program and is
certain it will withstand any challenges.
"It's always been an issue of fairness," Iorio said.
"Not everyone is married, yet the world is changing and
people have different partnerships."
Nadine Smith, director of Equality Florida, said she
worries about the erosion of domestic partner benefits
programs.
"It's sadly predictable that they're willing to invest
time, energy and money in taking benefits away from
families," Smith said. "It is the hidden agenda of
Amendment 2."
Amendment 2, which goes to voters in November, would ban
gay marriage in Florida.
Information from Tribune archives was
used in this story. Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be
reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.
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