Same-sex Partners Win Right to Benefits in Alaska – Governor Outraged

The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday ruled it is unconstitutional to bar benefits to the same-sex partners of public employees, a victory for gay-rights advocates in one of the first states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Overturning a lower-court ruling, the state high court said barring benefits for state and city employees' same-sex partners violates the Alaska Constitution's equal-protection clause. Governor Frank Murkowski was "outraged" by the ruling and directed the attorney general's office to find a way to overturn it, said his spokeswoman, Becky Hultberg. Source. Seattle Times, seattletime.nwsource.com. For the complete story, please click here (last visited October 29, 2005, reo).