Gay man who quit job to care for partner wins benefits

[ccharles000]

(Olympia, Washington) A county court judge has ruled that a Washington gay man who left his job to care for his dying partner is entitled to unemployment benefits.

In a landmark ruling, Thurston County judge Richard Hicks said that under state employment law a worker may receive benefits if he leaves for good cause. The law lists 11 examples including death, illness or disability of the workers’ “immediate family.”

“The Employment Security Act, read in its entirety, includes ’stable domestic partnerships’ within the definition of ‘immediate family’” under two state laws, Hicks said in his written ruling.

The case involved Dean Lake, who quit his job to care for Tony Sisneros, his partner of 12 years. Sisneros died of brain cancer in September 2007.

Lake used up all of his sick leave time caring for Sisneros and quit his job to care for the dying man.

Employment Security refused Lake’s application for benefits and he went to court.

http://www.365gay.com/news/gay-man-who-quit-job-to-care-for-partner-wins-benefits/

[BlueButGlad2]

1. Great news that he foght and won - thanks for posting

[JitterbugPerfume]

2. Good for him

It is way past time that our gay brothers and sisters have equal rights .

[malaise]

3. He shouldn't have had to go to court for this

Denying him benefits was discrimination. Good for him.

[ccharles000]

4. discrimination sucks

[foxfeet]

5. He took on the burden of this fight that will ultimately benefit others.

Good on him!

[nichomachus]

6. Sarah Palin and John McCain will make sure this doesn't happen again

:sarcasm:

[ColbertWatcher]

7. Good news. Sucks that he had to go to court for something so inalienable. n/t

[progressoid]

8. Good. Let's hope this opens the door for more couples.

[RedLetterRev]

9. On days when I feel like I'm too tired to fight any more

I remember things like this. Courage always finds a way to take one more step to do What's Right.

Bravo, Dean. Thanks, brother. You did something for all of us. You saw it through.

Rest peacefully, Tony. I'll say a prayer for both of you tonight.

[Obamanaut]

10. I'm glad Dean won the case, but sorry he lost Tony. nt

[lame54]

11. did the benefits extend to his partner?