Kentucky Senate Passes Bill That Bans Insurance At State Schools For Same Sex Couples

Kentucky's senate has approved a measure that would prevent the eight public universities and state agencies from offering benefits to gay and lesbian partners of employees. The bill is being opposed by the state's universities.

The vote on Senate Bill 112 was 30-5 yesterday. The only senators against the bill were Democratic Sens. Ernesto Scorsone of Lexington, Denise Harper Angel of Louisville, Gerald Neal of Louisville, R.J. Palmer of Winchester and Tim Shaughnessy of Louisville voting against it.

"The only thing that drives this measure is a gay-bashing effort," said Scorsone, a homosexual.

Proponents of the bill say that it violates the Kentucky Constitution that was amended in 2004 banning same sex marriages.

"I have sympathy for Sen. Scorsone," said Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville. "I know it's difficult for him to deal with this issue. Nobody directed any comments at him, nor would we have stood for anyone to say anything disrespectful on the floor."

Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs, who sponsored the bill, said it is about not sacrificing his convictions.

"I do not recognize domestic partnerships as being a correct thing," he said. "My Bible teaches against it."

Universities have been against the bill stating that it hurts their chances of recruiting researchers and professors. In 2006 the University of Louisville became the first in the state to extend health insurance benefits to unmarried domestic partnerships including homosexual relationships. When universities stated that they need to be able to offer the same benefit packages as other states in order to recruit the best employees McGaha shot back with,

"Keep recruiting," he said. "There's plenty out there."