Domestic Partner Benefits

I am writing to clarify the views attributed to me in your April 15 “On the Issue” column on requiring businesses that contract with the city to provide domestic partner benefits to their employees (“Benefits for Unmarried Partners?”).

As condensed, my strong and unequivocal support for the principle of domestic partner benefits was omitted. Since 1994, the city has offered domestic partner benefits to its employees with no adverse financial impact to the city. Such a law not only provides same-sex domestic partners and unmarried heterosexual couples with the same benefits as their married counterparts, it sends an important message about the city’s long-standing policy of nondiscrimination.

There are a number of approaches Los Angeles could take to require companies doing business with the city to provide domestic partner benefits. All obviously require close study. The need for careful consideration of such proposals notwithstanding, providing domestic partner benefits is the right thing to do.

MICHAEL FEUER

Councilman, 5th District