Support for the Equal Benefits Bill

Yesterday, I was proud to stand with a majority of my colleagues in support of Councilmember Navarro’s Bill that will extend benefits to same-sex domestic partners of County contractors and subcontractors. Montgomery County has a longstanding practice of extending equal benefits to same-sex partners of County employees, and it’s only right that the partners of those who work for us get the same rights too. The benefits extended include bereavement leave, family medical leave, sick leave, health benefits, dental benefits, disability insurance, life insurance and retirement benefits.

Montgomery County is made up of so many different types of families, including same-sex couples and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) individuals. It’s our diversity that makes this County so great. Unfortunately, LGBT Marylanders are too often left behind. My colleagues and I stood together yesterday to show our support for full equality under the law for all people, including our LGBT friends and neighbors. This Bill is good for the individual, but it is even better for working families struggling through these tough times. I hope that in the future we can all work together so that every Marylander will enjoy the same equal rights. A public hearing for Bill 37-09 is scheduled for December 1, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.