ORLANDO -- The city is moving ahead with a plan to extend health benefits to city workers with a same sex partner.
On Monday, the city council approved the change, which extends benefits if a couple signs an affidavit swearing they are committed and other paperwork like a joint bank account.
Critics have been upset at the near $40,000 price tag, but supporters said it's money well spent.
"It’s not going to be that much of a cost, but it will really make a difference in the lives of some of our employees,” said Patty Sheehan, the commissioner for District 4. “I've got one employee right now who's really, really suffering and in danger of losing his home because his partner has health issues, and he has no health insurance. So this will really help him, and I hope another city employee never gets in that situation."
In 1984, the city of Berkley in California became the first organization to offer domestic partner benefits.
These benefits to city of Orlando workers will only apply to couples in same sex relationships.
Mayor Dyer said it’s because heterosexual couple have the opportunity to marry.
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