The following testimony was presented to the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Law and Government on November 16, 2011 urging the passage of legislation that would require city contractors to provide the same benefits to the domestic partners of its employees as it does for spouses.

Good morning.  My name is Sara Jacobson.  I am a member of the Board of The Liberty City Democratic Club and the Chair of its Endorsement Committee.  I thank the Committee on Law and Government for accepting our testimony on the Equal Benefits Bill.  Many of you came before our membership less than a year ago asking for our support in the elections.  When we opened our City Council candidate night in the Spring, we asked you to remember our members,notonly on Election Day when you had our votes, but after Election Day as well, when you made decisions that affect us in these halls.

Liberty City was founded in 1994 to build lesbian and gay involvement in the Democratic Party.  Our goals include mobilizing LGBT voters; electing LGBT and LGBT-friendly candidates; working to oust anti-gay office holders; and promoting legislative issues of importance to our community.  We have approximately 4000 members throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.  Our membership cares deeply about LGBT equality.  They turn to Liberty City for guidance about important legislation like the Equal Benefits Bill, and they vote.

Liberty City supports the Equal Benefits Bill, and thanks Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for introducing it, as well as Councilman Kenney, Councilman Greenlee, and Councilman DiCicco for co-sponsoring the Bill. 

Philadelphia needs the Equal Benefits Bill because this bill ensures that our city doesn’t endorse discrimination in its private contracts.  This bill says that if you want to do business with our city, you must do right by all its citizens, by providing the same employment benefits to life partners who share the same gender identity as those given to opposite sex couples.  Permitting tax dollars to give the benefit of city contracts to businesses that don’t do so, would be a use of tax dollars to endorse discrimination.  The Equal Benefits Bill is inclusive, because using the term “gender identity” in its definition of who is covered, contemplates transgender people.  The bill shows leadership, placing Philadelphia among a growing list of States and Cities who have passed similar legislation[i].  This bill is smart, because it combats discrimination without costing the city a dime.

A mere eight days ago the members of Liberty City stood in line to vote, and when they voted, they stood up for many of you. They did so because you came to Liberty City and pledged your support for the issues that matter to us.  Issues like the Equal Benefits Bill.  I ask you to stand up for us now, as we did for you then.  Stand up for us by passing this bill. 

This Wednesday, November 16 at 10:00 am, City Council is holding a public hearing on Councilwoman Reynolds Brown's Equal Benefits Bill, legislation that would extend equal benefits for same sex partners.  The bill would require contractors accepting service contracts from the City of Philadelphia of $250,000 or more to extend the same employment benefits to life partners of its employees that is extended to spouses of married employees.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown needs our help to pass this bill and we urge you to voice your support for the Equal Benefits Bill.  City Council needs to hear from you now.   

Below is the sample letter with the address, telephone numbers and email addresses of the Councilmembers who serve on the Committee on Law & Government (where this bill will be read, debated and voted on). Also included are their legislative aides.  We must touch these offices. We ask for your help in contacting them via at least one means of communication.

City Council Contact Information

• Councilman William K. Greenlee| Room 580, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3446 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman James F. Kenney| Room 330 City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3450 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman Frank DiCicco| Room 332, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3458 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr. | Room 316, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3414 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman Bill Green| Room 599, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-342 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman Jack Kelly| Room 594, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-345 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sample Letter

<Date>

Re: Bill #110057, Equal Benefits in City Contracting 

Dear Council Member ,

I am proud to support the Equal Benefits Bill, #110057, to promote equal benefits in City Contracting. Sponsored by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Bill #110057 ensures that all contractors who enter into contracts of $250,000 or more with the City of Philadelphia must extend the same employment benefits to life partners of its employees that are extended to spouses of married employees.

Providing the same benefits to an employee with a life partner, or same-sex or opposite-sex spouse ensures that workers receive equal pay for equal work.

Providing equal benefits also shows respect for the diversity of employees and their individual circumstances.  Additionally, treating employees fairly is a sound business practice.  A non-discriminatory benefits program enables employers to attract and retain the best and most talented employees, lowers turnover and recruitment costs, and helps improve employee job satisfaction and performance.

Bill #110057 will level the playing field for all employees of Companies that contract with the City of Philadelphia.  For those reasons and more, we urge you to vote in favor of Bill #110057.

Should you have any questions regarding our support for this bill, please contact me at <Enter Contact Information>.

Sincerely,

<Enter Your Name and Affiliation>