A petition concerning the Domestic Partner Benefits issue was able to collect over 100 signatures during World Fest. The issue the petition addressed is for the extension of Domestic Partner Benefits (health insurance, bereavement leave, tuition remission, etc.) to Gay, Lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and unmarried heterosexual couples employed by the University of Cincinnati. Students, faculty, and staff were all petitioned.
According to RWC History Professor Andrea Kornbluh, who is responsible for the circulation of the petition, five public Ohio colleges have already began offering domestic partner benefits to such couples, as have many local businesses. Currently UC does not offer such benefits.
“To me it’s an issue of fairness,” says Kornbluh. “[My husband] was able to make a career change because of my benefits. Many of my colleagues who may be in relationships as long lasting do not have the same options for their partners.”
A contract last summer was the first attempt at getting any Domestic Partner Benefits at UC.
Kornbluh goes on to say, “For many people, the lack of these benefits marks UC as an unfriendly place to work.