Kudos to the University of Kentucky
By The Board of Trustees of my fine employer has voted 14-2 to extend domestic partner benefits. UK joins the University of Louisville as the only state institutions in Kentucky to extend such benefits. The decision has already spurred some pushback, although it seems that the leaders of the Republican Party of Kentucky have a sad misunderstanding of what the words “unconstitutional”, “patently”, and “no doubt about it” mean.
On the other side, House Minority Whip Stan Lee, R-Lexington, a UK graduate who has sought legislation banning domestic partner benefits on the state’s public campuses, spoke as if the fight has only begun.
“It’s patently unconstitutional, no doubt about it,” said Lee, referring to an amendment to Kentucky’s Constitution that limits marriage to that between a man and a woman.
“Someone’s going to file a legal challenge” against UK and U of L, he said, though he added that he might not be the one to do it. Lee is seeking the GOP’s nomination for attorney general in the May 22 primary election.
Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who is seeking re-election, said yesterday he is considering including a proposed ban on domestic partner benefits if he calls a special session of the General Assembly.
UK occupies a space much closer to the heart of Kentuckians than UL, which is why we’ll see reaction now that we didn’t when Louisville flipped. Nevertheless, a fine day.