May 7, 2007

Victory for Gay New Hampshire Employees Seeking Family Benefits

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) declared victory today as the state of New Hampshire dropped its appeal in the case Bedford and Breen v. New Hampshire Community Technical College System.  The case involves Patricia Bedford and Anne Breen, two state employees who sought the same benefits for their same-sex partners and their children as their married co-workers receive.

GLAD won a ruling at the trial court level that denying family benefits to gay and lesbian employees violates New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination laws, and the state appealed.  The case was to be heard before the New Hampshire Supreme Court this Thursday, May 10.

“We’re thrilled for Patricia and Anne and their families,” said Karen Loewy, GLAD staff attorney.  “The discrimination that they’ve endured for many years has been acknowledged, and will be addressed.”  GLAD argued that the state’s use of marriage as a qualifier for benefits amounted to sexual orientation discrimination because same-sex couples cannot marry in New Hampshire.

Bedford, an eleven-year employee of the college system, is a department director overseeing programs for low-income, first generation students and students with disabilities.  She and Vivian Knezevich, her partner of over 15 years, live in Concord with their 4 year-old son Christopher.  Breen, who has worked at the college for 18 years, is Director of Security.  She and Kathleen Doyle, her partner of 29 years, live in Salisbury with their 11-year-old son Matthew.

“Patricia and Anne deserve a tremendous amount of credit for standing up and saying this isn’t right,” added Loewy.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.