Last week, Ross Perot's computer services company revoked health coverage for partners of newly hired gay employees. Within the last month, Perot suspended benefits for new employees while retaining them for current ones. While the nation pushes for growing acceptance and increased diversity, this act is unacceptable and unfair.
Perot's corporation was the first to reverse a trend among many businesses, especially among the computer industry, to grant benefits to same-sex marriages. The gay community and the nation must not ignore Perot's action. Fairness and equity must be reinstated in the workplace, an environment that often mirrors the problems and issues of society at large. Perot said that his action "has nothing to do with gay rights - it has everything to do with fairness and equity." He argued that his decision only reflected a fear that individuals in a heterosexual relationship would falsely claim to be committed in order to win benefits. But what Perot seems to forget is the fact that individuals in a committed gay relationship have no means to solidify or prove their commitment - gay marriages are still illegal in many states. If the gay community cannot legally unite in the eyes of the state, then there lies no other option but to merely claim commitment. But individuals in a heterosexual relationship have the option of legal marriage and are not forced to ambiguously claim commitment but also allowed to prove it. In defense of the business world, companies only give benefits to a partner of an employee if they are in a committed relationship, usually proven through marriage. This protects their bottom line and alleviates confusion for human resources. But at this point, gay relationships have no legal outlet to prove their commitment. Their benefits should not be lost simply because most states do not yet accept gay unions.
Perot's action also exemplifies a backlash that businesses have successfully been fighting since the introduction of benefits for gay partners. The Lotus Development Corporation became the first public company to introduce benefits to same-sex partners in 1991. I.B.M., Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Intel, Apple Computer, Northern Telecom and Electronic Data Systems followed suit quickly thereafter. The Human Rights campaign, a leading gay and lesbian political organization, has commended these companies and said that Perot's action has "shown himself to be completely out of step with American business, especially in the information technology business, this was a totally unnecessary and mean-spirited action." To instate health care benefits and then revoke them is not only unfair but can also lead to financial problems for individuals who count on health care. Even though Perot is not revoking benefits to those who already receive them, not granting them to new employees creates an unfair hierarchy in the workplace.
Even more, because only gay employees' partners are barred from receiving partner benefits, benefit packages inherently hinge upon an individual's sexual orientation. This is blatant discrimination. Perot must be held responsible for this wrongful action. More important, members of the gay community should not allow this practice to become commonplace. While other companies have not yet followed Perot's lead, pre-emptive action must be taken. Until gay marriages are accepted and legal, gays and lesbians have no way to qualify for a legally bound requirement for workplace benefits. This obvious and hurtful discrimination cannot be accepted nor allowed. Strong efforts must be made for acceptance, fairness, equity and understanding.