City Council Discusses Offering Domestic Partner Benefits

El Paso, TX — On the heels of perhaps the most controversial gay rights incident in El Paso, city leaders are now putting forth a plan that would benefit gay couples. By the end of July, City Council is expected to decide whether to extend benefits not just to same-sex partners of city employees, but also to heterosexual couples in committed relationships.

“We want to help people who have really made a commitment to each other, sharing resources, caring for one another, but they simply don’t have the means to access their partner’s benefits,” said City Rep. Susie Byrd.

The move would benefit not just homosexual couples, but also couples in common law marriages, and already some El Pasoans are on board with the idea.

“I think it’s right,” said Julio Jimenez. “If they live together, if they do things together, they have the right to get benefits.”

Rep. Byrd said the plan would benefit about the partners of about 45 city employees. She estimates the cost to provide benefits to domestic partners would range from $350,000 to $450,000.

Despite the price tag and even at a time when the city is looking to cut back, some residents say now is a perfect time to enact such a measure.

“There are always going to be problems,” David Jimenez said. “So this is as good a time as any.”

City leaders say they will look at official documents such as joint mortgage bills, joint bank accounts and life insurance polices to determine who will qualify. And if passed, city leaders say the move paves the way for other communities.

“I think it’s an effort to show the rest of the world that we’re tolerant and accepting,” Rep. Byrd said.