The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

November 26, 2012

Benefits fight brings lesbian couple to high court

The Associated Press Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Like a lot of newlyweds, Karen Golinski was eager to enjoy the financial fruits of marriage. Within weeks of her wedding, she applied to add her spouse to her employer-sponsored health care plan.

Her ordinarily routine request still is being debated more than four years later, and by the likes of former attorneys general, a slew of senators, the Obama administration and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court.

Because Golinski is married to another woman and works for the U.S. government, her claim for benefits has morphed into a multi-layered legal challenge to a 1996 law that prohibits the federal government from recognizing unions like hers.

The high court has scheduled a closed-door conference for Friday to review Golinski’s case and four others that also seek to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act signed by President Bill Clinton. The purpose of the meeting is to decide which, if any, to put on the court’s schedule for arguments next year.

The outcome carries economic and social consequences for gay, lesbian and bisexual couples, who now are unable to access Social Security survivor benefits, file joint income taxes, inherit a deceased spouse’s pension or obtain family health insurance.

“It’s pretty monumental and it’s an honor,” said Golinski, a staff lawyer for the federal appeals court based in San Francisco who married her partner of 23 years, Amy Cunninghis, during the brief 2008 window when same-sex marriages were legal in California.

The federal trial courts that heard the cases all ruled the act violates the civil rights of legally married gays and lesbians. Two appellate courts agreed, making it highly likely the high court will agree to hear at least one of the appeals, Lambda Legal Executive Director Jon Davidson said.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • Oklahoma Tornado Expert: Schools need shelters

    Ninety-four percent of Oklahoma schools do not have tornado shelters, according to Gov. Mary Fallin, even though at least one weather expert says they should be standard. With two Moore schools destroyed in Monday’s EF-5 tornado — and ...

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Family shelter saves 11 lives

    MOORE — Ronnie and Sally Horn built their retirement home 15 years ago. It was a vision of comfort set against a wooded background. The yard was well manicured. The picket fence was white. The pond out back was as clear as any in Oklahoma. ...

    May 24, 2013

  • OU ready to keep victims all summer

    Juan Flores moved into the Walker Center dormitory Wednesday at the University of Oklahoma. He was shown to his new room, pre-furnished with a bed, desk and closet. He spent his first evening watching football on one of the communal TVs in ...

    May 24, 2013

  • Tornado took town’s youngest as it swept through Moore

    MOORE — One loved the spotlight. Another was nicknamed “The Wall” because of the force he brought to the soccer field. When a top-of-the-scale EF-5 tornado ripped through Moore, it took with it 24 lives. Seven of them were children at ...

    May 24, 2013

  • Third-grader left school with minutes to spare

    Faces of the storm The Oklahoma medical examiner’s office says it has positively identified all 24 people killed in the tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, including 10 children: Monday’s tornadoes — Terri Long, ...

    May 24, 2013

  • Little Axe Class of 2013 graduates

    The Little Axe Senior Class of 2013 held its commencement exercise Tuesday evening. Graduates include Kaleb Leroy Anderson, Christopher L. Arterberry, Nora Leigh Barnett, Kaila Rae Linn Bopp, Dalton Lynn Branch, Shannon Maree' Brophy, ...

    May 24, 2013

  • House approves new county judge

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Cleveland County is due to get another district judge seat authorized very soon after state representatives approved 78 to 9 on Wednesday the legislation to accomplish such a feat....

    May 24, 2013

  • Third-grader left school with minutes to spare

    Scott Lewis picked up his son, Zack, from Plaza Towers Elementary School as hail pounded the school Monday afternoon. About five minutes after they left, Lewis said, the monster tornado smashed into the building....

    May 24, 2013

  • Mental health clinic offered for children

    In an effort to help local children process their emotions in the wake of tornadoes on Sunday and Monday, the University of Oklahoma’s Center on Child Abuse and Neglect is offering a mental health clinic....

    May 24, 2013

  • Little Axe not forgotten amidst severe weather events

    As the nation focuses on the hardest hit tornado-affected areas of Oklahoma, smaller communities are still asking for help....

    May 24, 2013