Health Benefits for Same Sex Partners Increase

A new study of over 500 colleges nationwide found that more institutions are now providing health benefits to their employees’ spouses or partners­—regardless of if they are in same-sex or opposite-sex unions.

The web-based survey, conducted by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, reported that 40 percent of universities now offer benefits to same sex partners, an increase from last year’s statistic of 38 percent.

The study also reported that 31 percent of colleges surveyed provide health benefits for opposite-sex partners who are not legally married. This January, Harvard will join these institutions in extending benefits to family members of employees in opposite-sex partnerships, according to Kathleen M. Tipping, a benefits representative at the Office of Human Resources.

Though Harvard did not participate in the study, benefits for same-sex partners of University employees have been available for over a decade­—predating the 2004 Massachusetts state law permitting same-sex marriages—according to Director of Communication for Human Resources Mary Ann O’Brien.

“I would say that faculty and staff in general receive a comprehensive, progressive, and generous package of benefits intended to support their wellbeing, their security, and their work life balance,” O’Brien said. “I think Harvard is doing really well in terms of meeting and exceeding most standards for benefits across the board.”

O’Brien added that Harvard

employees in both same-sex marriages and same-sex partnerships receive benefit packages identical to those in heterosexual marriages.

Assistant Professor of Studies of Women, Gender and Sexuality Robin Bernstein said she and her partner are content with the health benefits they receive from the University.

Bernstein added that since some employees may be residents of nearby states that do not permit gay marriage, it is crucial that Harvard keeps extending benefits to all same-sex partnerships, not just marriages.

Robyn T. Ochs, staff member of the Romance Languages and Literature staff and a co-founder the LGBT Faculty and Staff group, also emphasized the importance of retaining partner benefits.

“We’ve been working with [Human Resources] to continue partner benefits indefinitely,” she said. Ochs is married to her same-sex partner.

Director of the Women’s Center Susan B. Marine, whose same-sex partner chose not to participate in Harvard’s benefit plan, said the human resources department has been “very responsive” and open to dialogue.

“We’ve had a lot of support and a lot of success here making sure that the climate is hospitable and supportive of [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender staff],” Marine said.