Pink Press

February 6, 1996

Q5

Iam alas

Treasury board of Canada grants same sex benefits

_ by Dia Richardson

In Ngyember 1995, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was passed between the Treasury Board of Canada and the major public service unions, which granted some same-sex partner benefits to the union members. While some people would consider this a progressive move for the Government of Canada, for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) it was not enough.

PSAC refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the grounds that, whatever its intent, it

proposed, as an alternative, a MOU that guaranteed that spousal benefits are to be provided without regard to sexual orientation for all applicable collective agreement items as well as for the Public Service Health Care Plan. This would be accomplished by the elimination of the phrase “of the opposite sex” from the definitions of “common-law spouse” and “spouse”.

The MOU, as proposed by the Treasury Board, was passed regardless of PSAC’s objections on November 16,

‘1995. While PSAC still refused to sign,

agreement. There have been recent wins at adjudication”.

Sinclair also felt that for PSAC this also a strong women’s issue. She explained that, “there has been a close tie in with the women’s movement since the 1980’s as PSAC has a high composition of woman employees, At the last National Women’s Conference lesbians were recognized as a special interest group along with women of color and disabilities”.

History: This is not the first time that the

constituted continued government has been Girect CiscriMiNation — yevommwwnsonnsanennessnn challenged on their based on sexual definition of a eas ae These challenges have been increasing in ftir aa objections to the revent years as more homosexuals fight for employees. For proposed MOU. First, their rights years homosexual that the union groups and members in same-sex individuals have

spousal relationships would only be entitled to a portion of the leave and benefit entitlements which members in a heterosexual spousal relationship (common-law or marriage) already receive. Secondly, that the members would receive this lesser package based on the recognition of a “partner” rather than a “spousal” relationship.

For months before the MOU was passed, PSAC tried to communicate with the Treasury Board. They

they also in no way impeded implementation of the policy. While they welcomed the access to leave benefits, they felt the MOU did not go nearly far enough.

Kay Sinclair, Co-president PSAC Surrey Tax Centre Local and a member of the PSAC Lesbian and Gay Support Group states that, “we will continue to be activists by having affected members file grievances to obtain rights under the collective

5416.

out.

been fighting the government to obtain benefits and to fight discrimination under the Human Rights Act. (In fact, it has been almost 25 years (August 1971) since 100 lesbians and gays marched to Parliament Hill—the first gay political action on the Hill.) These challenges have been increasing in recent years as more homosexuals fight for their rights. Cases such as Egan v. Canada ‘95, in which James Egan fought to obtain spousal benefits under the Canada

Th al

Queer sports

by Miguel Strother

For those of you in the gay and lesbian community who are activity seeking to become involved in a sporting activity, we at the Other Press are happy to provide you with a small list of gay- and lesbian-only sporting clubs.

The Cutting Edge gay-only Hockey team is currently in its first year of operation. They have two teams and are always looking for new players with hockey experience. For more information call 253-6780.

“Vancouvers Gay Volleyball Association” is running leagues for players of all abilities. A drop-in league is also offered on Friday nights starting at 6 PM at King George school. The cost is $5 and players are accepted on a first come first serve basis. For more information please call 290-0133.

For those who enjoy the tortures of long distance running, Front Runners Running Club may be worth calling for information. The phone number is 681-

If none of these activities are your bag but you wish to find an athletic activity that is, come on down to the office and we will see if we can’t help you

Pension Plan Act, have received wide media attention. This fight was under way for eight years, through varied courthouses, multiple decisions and a final split court, when the Supreme Court reached it’s decision on May 25, 1995. Since then a documentary has been made and aired on James Egan’s story titled “Jim loves Jack.”

Currently:

In January 1996, the Reform Party lashed the government for agreeing to pay compensation to gay employees who had previously been refused leave to handle partner-related responsibilities. In the second week of January the government announced that it had agreed to pay $500 as “moral prejudice” compensation to homosexual employees who had complained to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

~ - Note: the government only agreed to this compensation after the Treasury Board MOU of last November.

On January 15, lan McClelland, Edmonton Reform MP and public service critic, accused the government

Jim |

of trying to sneak in legal recognition of same-sex couples against the will of Canadians and Parliament. He cited a free vote in the Commons last September that went 124-52 against a motion to legally recognize such relationships.

McClelland said, “Canadians, however tolerant, do not want the government of Canada to officially recognize same-sex partnerships as being the equivalent to marriage.”

oves Jack

by Daniela Zanatta

indecency.

and lesbians to

the 60s because

Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit have been a couple for almost 50 years. Egan and Nesbit became a couple back in the 40s during a time where it was a crime to be gay. The media labeled homosexuals as sexual deviants and the police arrested gays for gross

Egan began a letter campaign in the late 40s and 50s sending letters arguing for equality for gays

the media and politicians. This was

the start of a long battle to change the views and laws on homosexuality. Egan stopped his campaigning in

of the disruption it caused their lives

and the lack of response from the gay community.

When Egan turned 65 he took up the battle

eight year battle

again. His quest was to receive spousal benefits through his old age pension plan. This turned into an

through the courts. The final decision

came in 1995. Egan and Nesbit were denied same

sex benefits. Jim Love

s Jack: The James Egan Story, a

documentary depicting their lives, will air on the Knowledge Network on Thursday, March 7, at 10 pm.

~~