The January 26 Issue of Outword    

Our very own Chris Narloch sat down with Paula Deen, the Food Network cooking star before she announced she has Type 2 diabetes, since she is scheduled to be in our town on February 3rd. In the interview Paula very lightly touches on diabetes and her style of food, but for the most part this interview is about her and other fun things. Her upcoming appearance at the Community Center should be a hoot!

Read more: The January 26 Issue of Outword

Motion Filed in Defense of Marriage Act Case

Lawyers for Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center and Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason LLP have filed a motion for summary judgment against the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service and the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) on behalf of gay and lesbian state workers, together with their spouses and registered domestic partners, who are denied equal access to California’s long-term care insurance program for public employees and their families.

The motion seeks judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit entitled Dragovich v. CalPERS (Case No. CV 4:10-01564-CW).  The case was originally filed on April 13, 2010.  On July 15, 2011, the court ruled that the case could proceed as a class of excluded gay and lesbian couples.

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Houston Mayor & Golden State Warrior’s COO to Receive 2012 Out & Equal Advocacy Awards

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates has announced that Rick Welts, President and Chief of Operations of the Golden State Warriors, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be honored with 2012 Out & Equal Advocacy Awards.

The awards will be presented to Welts and Parker at the Out & Equal Leadership Celebration on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco.

Read more: Houston Mayor & Golden State Warrior’s COO to Receive 2012 Out & Equal Advocacy Awards

Government Sanctioned LGBT Discrimination Challenged

By Boyce Hinman

In 1990 the California Legislature adopted legislation providing long term care insurance for state and local government employees, retirees, and their family members. It is called the CalPERS Long -Term Care Program. The insurance covers the cost of in home health care services, and nursing home care, up to certain dollar limits, in the event that either or both become necessary. The program is administered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).

The 1990 legislation did not, and California law still does not, allow the domestic partners of government employees and retirees to purchase insurance under the program. California does recognize the marriages of state and local government employees, who married same sex partners in the summer of 2008. However, even these spouses are ineligible for coverage under the plan.

Read more: Government Sanctioned LGBT Discrimination Challenged