Posted on 10/28/2005 3:52:17 PM PDT by SmithL
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday it was unconstitutional to bar benefits to the same-sex partners of public employees.
In overturning a lower court's ruling, the state high court said "the public employers' spousal limitations violate the Alaska Constitution's equal protection clause."
Nine gay or lesbian government workers and their partners joined the Alaska Civil Liberties Union in 2002 in appealing the lower court ruling. It stemmed from a 1999 lawsuit filed against the state and the city of Anchorage after voters passed a constitutional amendment blocking state recognition of gay marriage.
In the 2001 Superior Court ruling, Judge Stephanie Joannides said the state and city did not have to extend benefits to same-sex couples, equating them with unmarried heterosexual couples who also are not eligible for benefits.
The ACLU advocates setting up a domestic partner registry to determine benefit eligibility.
So can I declare my son as my partner and get 2 tax credits and receive state benefits?
Because that sounds just about right. Not that I have a son.
The judicial activism continues...
alaska state supreme court is the perfect example of arrogance-we know-you don't-people one day you will have to deal with these people on a more personal level-guard your children and those things you value
Alaska's whole judiciary was set up at statehood by lawyers for lawyers. The attorney general is appointed, not elected. Judges are all appointed. Every election some of them appear on the ballots with a "yes" or "no" box as to whether they should be retained. I always voted "no" but to my knowledge none have ever been removed. Its a really slimy system but you know, its 99% of lawyers who give the other 1% a bad name...
Way to interpret the Constitution--I'm sure this is just what the Founding Fathers intended (gag).
One for the list, can't do it right now but will catch up later.
Check your email!
Thanks!!!!!!
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
I thought Alaska was pretty conservative. Lawyers, the ACLU, "gay" agenda promoters - couldn't they just have their own state or two and leave the rest of us alone?
Freepmail me and DirtyHarryY2K if you want on/off this pinglist.
("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")
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