AZ Gays Keep Health Benefits

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has just slapped down Arizona's senile, teabagger governor Jan Brewer.  In 2009, Brewer eliminated partner benefits for state employees to pander to her ignorant, frightened, homophobic and racist voter base at the expense of hard working gay citizens to allegedly save the state money.  A group of gay and lesbian state employees sued, alleging violation of due process and equal protection.  The state argued that this was a legitimate cost-cutting measure, but the lazy lawyers for the state never even bothered to figure out how much the benefits actually cost the state.  Who knew courts would require facts and evidence when it was only dirty fags who were getting screwed?  U.S. District Judge John Sedwick, for one.  He enjoined the law and the 9th Circuit agreed unanimously.

 "Of particular significance to the district court was the fact that while the plaintiffs produced expert analysis on the impact of the law on the state's expenditures and found it minimal, the court was not provided any evidence of the actual amount of benefits the state paid for same sex partners," Judge Mary Schroeder wrote for the court's three-judge panel. "Defendants nevertheless contend on appeal that this law is rationally related to the state's interests in cost savings and reducing administrative burdens. As the district court observed, however, the savings depend upon distinguishing between homosexual and heterosexual employees, similarly situated, and such a distinction cannot survive rational basis review."

The more we stand up for ourselves, the harder it is to push us around.