The University of Pittsburgh announced Sept. 1 that it will begin offering health benefits to the live-in partners of its employees -- regardless of sexual orientation -- in January 2005, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported yesterday.
The debate over extending benefits to the same-sex partners of Pitt employees began when Deborah M. Henson, a legal writing instructor, tried unsuccessfully to register her female partner for benefits in 1994, according to the Chronicle.
Henson, along with six other Pitt employees, filed complaints with the City of Pittsburgh's Human Relations Commission.
After a decade of institutional opposition to extending benefits to same-sex partners, Pitt will offer health benefits to all unmarried partners regardless of sex at the rate offered by the university to the spouses of employees.
The University of Virginia has been criticized by some employees and activists for failing to offer same-sex partner benefits. Administrators say state law prohibits them from doing so.
"I think this is a smart move" for the University of Pittsburgh, said Wendy Repass of U.Va. Pride, an organization for the University's sexual minorities. "It will probably make the school more competitive. It joins many great corporations and schools that offer these benefits."
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