Posted on 09/17/2003 8:49:40 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Gay couples sign up for Fulton benefits
By BEN SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For seven gay Fulton County government workers in live-in relationships lasting longer than many marriages, Sept. 15 will exist as an anniversary of sorts.
It will mark the day their employer officially recognized those relationships and extended benefits to their partners.
"They're just 18 years too late," said Bill Gripp, 61, smiling as he received his "Certificate of Committed Relationship" from a county employee.
Gripp, a therapist in private practice, came to the Fulton office with his companion of two decades, Michael Wilson, the county's director of administration and court support services.
Monday's gathering wasn't an official ceremony, but it had the symbolism of one for the seven couples who gathered in the windowless government conference room to sign affidavits and collect their certificates.
"People are starting to realize that gays and lesbians are part of the American family and should be treated as such," said Cindy Abel, 42, as she filled out the paperwork and held the hand of her partner of 7 1/2 years, Barbara Rubin, a psychologist for the Fulton County Superior Court Family Division.
Abel runs a public relations company.
The increasing acceptance noted by Abel wasn't shared by all of the county employees who have taken advantage of the new policy.
At least three county workers signed up privately for health benefits for their partners, who feared retaliation if their employers discovered they were gay.
Among other benefits, the new policy enacted in July by the Fulton County Commission extends medical insurance to the live-in companions of gay workers and gives county workers bereavement leave for the funerals of their companions.
Officials aren't sure how many workers will sign up for the benefits.
Fulton is now the fourth metro area government, following the city of Atlanta, DeKalb County and the city of Decatur, to extend domestic partnership benefits to gay employees and their partners.
According to latest U.S. census count, there are 3,481 gay couples in Fulton County.
For Wilson, the change means he will be able to significantly cut the couple's insurance bills, which Gripp said have run thousands of dollars higher than they would have if the pair were a heterosexual couple.
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