Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Adam Fried

The LGBT community made their rallying cry heard Thursday in the Nyumburu Amphitheater as more than 250 students, staff and local politicians gathered to rouse support for faculty and staff domestic partner benefits.

In April, university President Dan Mote made a written appeal to University System Chancellor Brit Kirwan advocating for an extension of health insurance, tuition remission and survivor benefits - now only available for heterosexual married couples - to domestic partners at the university.

"I'm very proud to be here fighting for what is right," Del. Jim Rosapepe (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel said. "We will be successful. This will be the year."

Rosapepe was joined by many of his colleagues in General Assembly, including gay politicians, to raise campus awareness about the issue and get the proposal approved by the Board of Regents and eventually signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. The proposal was first put to the regents 13 years ago.

The rally, organized by the Pride Alliance, coincided with National Coming Out Day. Graduate Student Government President Laura Moore took the opportunity not only to back the measure but also to come out publicly.

"I'm here today as president of the 10,000-strong graduate student body," Moore said, "And I'm also here as a a member of the gay community." Moore said that although people close to her knew about her sexual orientation, the announcement was the first time she had made it known publicly.

"I was terrified, but whatever it takes to bring the issue forward," Moore said. "I had never hidden it, but it's a lot more public now."

Domestic partners of faculty and staff said the lack of benefits has hurt their ability to safeguard their families from financial uncertainty. Robyn Zeiger, a long-time family studies professor, has been with her partner Dori Anne Steele for nearly 25 years. Steele, who is not covered under the university health insurance, underwent three surgeries that totaled $8,800 a year in medical costs.

"We're not going to be happy until we get the full benefits," said Steele, who promised a party if the proposal passes. "I'll give free sitting massages."

Both the Student Government Association and the GSG have passed similar resolutions in a show of support for a university-wide policy. Pride Alliance Vice President Ron Correa said the university has long supported the measure.

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