|
|
| Iowa prison agency reverses on same-sex benefits |
| By canadianbusiness.com - AP |
| Published: 07/21/2011 |
|
Reversing course in a politically sensitive case, the Iowa Department of Corrections on Wednesday granted family leave to a prison guard to care for her ailing same-sex spouse in what gay rights advocates hailed as a step toward equality. Teresa Heck, a correctional officer at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale, said she learned Wednesday that her request for time off under the Family Medical Leave Act has been granted after being denied for three months. The department's reversal came the same day that Heck's story was highlighted in testimony to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee as an example of how the federal Defense of Marriage Act discriminates against gays and lesbians in committed relationships with sometimes harsh consequences. Heck said she initially applied for benefits under FMLA — which provides job-protected leave for family-related problems such as medical emergencies — in April after learning her spouse of 13 years was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. But she was told not to even bother filling out the form since state regulations spelled out that same-sex couples did not qualify because of DOMA, which prohibits recognition of same-sex couples. Read More. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think