Same-Sex Domestic Partner Benefits

A message from Laurita Thomas, Associate Vice President for Human Resources

November 2004,

To members of the U-M community:

The passage of Proposal 2 in the State of Michigan has resulted in considerable concern from faculty, staff and students about its potential impact on our ability to continue to offer health care and other benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of U-M employees. The proposal has resulted in an amendment to our state’s constitution that declares that “a union of one man and one woman shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.” The debate over this issue is ongoing with steady coverage in the media, and we recognize the strain such scrutiny and uncertainty can place on our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) colleagues.

This is a time in which we must remind ourselves that discrimination based on any form of prejudice is harmful to the individual and destructive to our whole community. The leadership of the University of Michigan remains fully committed to this principle. As an employer, the benefits we offer help us recruit nationally for the highest caliber faculty and staff. But they also clearly demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of the valued members of our community.

This commitment to all aspects of diversity is a vital part of the Michigan tradition. More than 30 years ago, U-M became the first major university in the country to provide dedicated resources and support services for lesbian and gay students. By 1984, U-M had called upon the campus community to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and it was prohibited on our campuses by 1993. The health benefits that are now the subject of such debate have been offered to the same-sex domestic partners of U-M employees and their dependent children for ten years. We will continue to offer these benefits and, should we be challenged, we will defend our right to do so.

Laurita Thomas

Associate Vice President for Human Resources