State Court Voids City’s ‘Life Partnerships’ Rule
A state court struck down a 1998 Philadelphia ordinance that recognized same-sex “life partnerships,” saying the law usurped the power of the state to regulate marriage.
The definition of “marital status” had been amended to include “life partner,” which gave benefits to same-sex partners of city employees who signed an affidavit.
Former Mayor Edward G. Rendell, now the Democratic candidate for governor, signed off on the partnerships in 1998 after they were approved by the City Council.
A group of seven taxpayers sued, charging that the city did not have the power to create a new marital status.
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