Marriage Equality USA & Pride at Work Applaud Union’s Action in Extending Domestic Partner Pension Benefits; Retroactive to Include Marvin Burrows

San Francisco, CA: Bill Swenor worked the graveyard shift for 38 years as a warehouseman and proud member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). Although Bill Swenor was with Marvin Burrows for 51 years, married him in San Francisco during the “Winter of Love” and registered as California Domestic Partners, when Bill died in March 2005, Marvin was denied further health insurance coverage and Bill’s union pension, as well as Bill’s federal social security survivor benefits because they were a same-sex couple. Marvin was financially forced to move from their home of 35 years.

“Civil right victories are won by the courage of individuals. Marvin Burrows lost the love of his life, and was denied relationship protections which created a devastating financial crisis for him, an all too common reality for our LGBT senior community,” said Molly McKay, MEUSA Media Director. “But Marvin took the uncommon step of bravely sharing his story as the Marriage Equality USA Senior Outreach Director, devoting his life to educating fair-minded Americans about the harms of being excluded from marriage and relationship protections in the hopes that through sharing his story, he would help ensure that no one else would have to go through what he did in the future.”

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), sent a request to Bill’s union, on Marvin’s behalf, to reconsider their denial, but the pension fund’s denial was believed final. Then, two years later, on August 13th, NCLR contacted Marvin to convey a message they had received from Bill’s union pension administrator “During recent negotiations between Industrial Employers and Distributors Association (IEDA) and Warehouse Union Local 6 and 17, the Pension Agreement was changed to provide Domestic Partners the same rights to benefits as a spouse. This change was made retroactive to March 1, 2005 and will now allow Mr. Burrows to receive a benefit on behalf of Mr. Swenor.”

“It took two years for this change to come, but we are so pleased that not only did the union do the right thing and extend pension benefits to domestic partners, but they also reached back to specifically include Marvin, the one who moved them to take this important step,” said McKay. “We applaud this decision, as an interim measure which will extend some of the rights that would have been automatic had Marvin and Bill been allowed to marry. Marvin is still denied federal social security survivor benefits and the dignity of being recognized in all aspects as the widower. Marvin’s story serves as yet another example on how domestic partnerships don’t provide the same security or benefits of marriage.”

“Though many unions provide spousal benefits to same-sex couples, there are still many that do not,” said T Santora, co-President of Pride @ Work. “We are hopeful that this action will influence other unions to follow suit and ensure that their LGBT members and their families are afforded the protections that other members enjoy and ensure that Marvin’s experience becomes a part of history, not a continuing reality for others. By taking this action, the ILWU demonstrated its commitment to the union principle that an injury to one is an injury to all.”

“When I heard the news that Bill’s union had changed their policy and even made it retroactive to include me, I was stunned,” said Marvin. “Maybe it was me sharing my story with so many people, but I think it is also because they thought it was the right thing to do. I hope this shows our community the power of speaking up and that this encourages more gay Americans to come out and tell their stories. Bill was always proud of how his union provided for its members and I know Bill is smiling down at me and that alone gives me a wonderful reflection.”

>> This is an official press release from the National Press Center of Marriage Equality USA, a national organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation.