From the Empty Closet archieves

Employees IGNITE at ITT Space Systems
In the fall of 2005, ITT Space Systems Division in Rochester proudly announced the formation of Diversity and Inclusion Networks. Among them is IGNITE, the GLBTA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Allies) employee resource group. The GLBTA network started in October 2005 and a Steering Committee was formed in February 2006. The group selected its first management sponsor in March 2006 – Vice-President and Engineering Manager Tommy Brazie.

IGNITE has adopted Vision and Mission statements as follows:

“Our vision is a work environment at ITT Space Systems Division that is inclusive of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression, thereby providing a safe and healthy environment that empowers GLBT employees to be open and authentic about themselves. Members are able to reach their full potential and maximize their productivity related to attaining corporate goals.”

“Our mission is to provide education for the workforce, support the GLBT community at Space Systems Division, serve as advisors to management and HR, and partner with other demographic groups within Space Systems to ensure the corporate inclusion and diversity commitment. Our efforts within the division will extend outward into the Rochester GLBT community, making ITT Space Systems Division a visible and supportive community partner.”

Within Corporate ITT, domestic partner benefits were announced in November 2005 and sexual orientation was added to the Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Statement in April 2006.

Space Systems Division in Rochester is also a proud sponsor of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (GAGV), having contributed at the gold level in both 2005 and 2006. Darla Blazey and Teresa Mayer are the current co-leaders of IGNITE and are also Space Systems representatives for the Finger Lakes LGBT Workplace Alliance (FLLWA), along with HR representative and IGNITE steering committee member Holly Walkland.

One of IGNITE’s biggest activities surrounds the education of their co-workers. As part of that initiative, a Safe Zone training program will be presented to Human Resources as well as the Diversity and Inclusion Council by representatives of Xerox Capital/GE. IGNITE intends to develop its own training program to present to all ITT employees in Rochester and work with the GAGV on other educational opportunities.

It’s been a busy and rewarding year so far and we are eager to make ITT Space Systems Division one of Rochester’s most diverse and inclusive companies.

If you are an ITT employee and would like more information on IGNITE, please contact Darla Blazey at 585-269-6033 or at darla.blazey@itt.com.

According to this website,
http://personalinsure.about.com/cs/healthinsurance1/a/aa052204a.htm

The following insurance firms doing business in NYS offer domestic parner benefits. I can only imagine that they offer their employees the same benefits to their employees as well.
New York
Aetna
Ameritas
CIGNA
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
Great West Life
Guardian Life Insurance
Kaiser Permanente
MassMutual
MetLife
MVP Health Care
New York Life and Health
Oxford Health Plans
TIAA-CREF

http://www.fllwa.org/CEI2008Rochester.pdf

Here is a great list.

http://www.fllwa.org/

Here are members of FLLWA

Ace Mailing Services
Avalon Copy Centers
GLOB&L at Bausch & Lomb
Carrols Corporation
Citigroup
SPECTRA at Corning, Inc.
BGLAD at E.I. DuPont de Nemours
Empire State College
Epic Advisors
Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley
IGNITE at ITT Corporation
GLOBAL at Johnson & Johnson/Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
Lambda Network at Kodak
GLOBAL at Lockheed Martin
M&T Bank
Monroe Community College
Nixon Peabody LLP
Onex Carestream Health
Partners and Napier
Public Employees Federation
Rochester Institute of Technology
OutWest at Thomson West
GLUE at Unisys
Unity Health
University of Rochester
GALAXe at Xerox
GLBT Alliance at Xerox Capital Services/GE

And on this page is list of all employers who offer domestic partner benefits

http://www.fllwa.org/HRC%20CEI%20for%20Rochester%202005.htm

Hey big boy - keep ‘em coming. Do I see our beloved Wegmans on the list as well? (one of your links)

This begs the questions exactly what is Maggie protecting?

New York State
CSEA
PEF

Paychex, with its perennial gubernatorial wannabe Golisano, are one of the only large, local employers not currently offering these benefits.

According to the D&C Wegman’s also offers domestic partner benefits.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/NEWS01/802230319

Gannett recognizes and gives benefits to same sex partners:

http://www.gannett.com/career/benefits.htm

Interesting that this wasn’t in their story coverage on 2/23, the link I posted earlier by Erica Bryant.

Here’s a direct quote from Gannett’s website:

“Employees may enroll their domestic partners (same-sex or opposite-sex) and eligible children of the domestic partner as covered dependents under the medical, dental, vision and voluntary life insurance plans if the employee meets the criteria.”

Here’s a NYS Ruling that says that employers with more than 50 employees MUST provide DP Benefits…but realize that DP Benefits are still more expensive than that of a “married” couple.

I think that’s part of the problem. The costs are not equal…

http://www.ins.state.ny.us/ogco2005/rg050326.htm

Here’s more that lists by State as well as around the world:

http://www.buddybuddy.com/d-p-1.html

Hello, it’s me again - what is being completely OVERLOOKED is the fact that we have to pay taxes on these benefits, so very few people take advantage of health insurance because the IRS does not recognize domestic partners so all benefits are taxable. What does this mean? When I put Anne on my health insurance my net income DECREASED $240.00 a month!

Study after study indicates that implementing DP benefits are much less than anticpated because of the tax consequences and very few people can afford to put their partner on their plan. So, society suffers by having more uninsuranced citizens. Again, this is something you do not see in print.

Here’s the rally - still time to get down there.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080225/NEWS01/80225005

Frontier Communications offers Domestic Partnership benefits