Several dozen protesters picketed peacefully Feb. 13 as the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois systems met in Chicago.
With signs aimed at the 'heart' of the matter, the staff, students and their supporters urged the Trustees to vote in favor of domestic-partners coverage for same-sex partners of U of I staff. Signs included 'Be My Domestic Partner Provider.'
Last fall, after a nearly 10-year battle, the Trustees tabled the vote claiming they would defer to the new pro-gay Illinois legislature and governor. However, even though the state is expected to pass GLBT civil-rights legislation this spring, there is no proposal on the table asking for domestic-partner benefits for university employees.
Patricia O'Brien, assistant professor of the U of I at Chicago Jane Addams College of Social Work, said organizers were frustrated in November when the vote was delayed. Last week's picket was meant to keep pressure on the Trustees and President Stukelwho O'Brien said now favors the coverage.
Because the state and the university systems are both facing budget crises, activists fear they may have lost their window for pushing for coverage.
The new partners push is a joint effort of Student Pride, the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of LGBT Issues, and the Office of GLBT Concerns. UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning even attended a retreat the three groups hosted just a few weeks ago.
The pre-Valentine's Day protest was meant to let Trustees know that activists believe the lack of partners coverage violates the school's own anti-discrimination policyand hurts when trying to attract top-notch professors. If the administration does not act, a lawsuit may not be far behind.
Congregation Or Chadash, the GLBT Jewish group, had several members at the protest. Two protesters were allowed inside to address the board: Nick Sakurai, a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and Patrick Finnessy, director of the Office of GLBT Concerns. One anti-gay man spoke.
Meanwhile, both Temple and Drexel universities have voted to provide partnership benefits to their lesbian and gay employees.