Timbre of a TimeFree Mind

"The mailman came this morning and I panicked," said the stay-at-home mom on Nov. 3, one day after Oregon voters decisively approved a ban on gay marriage.

Like many housewives, Burke, 35, relies on her spouse's employer for her own health insurance. But because Burke is a lesbian, it was only this spring — after Multnomah County momentarily flung open the door to gay marriage — that she became a legal "spouse" by marrying her partner of 15 years, Dolores Doyle.

The change in legal status meant she became one of a number of married gay and lesbian spouses in Multnomah County who began receiving comprehensive medical insurance through their partner's employer.

While 11 states passed constitutional amendments Tuesday banning gay marriage, Oregon is the only state among them with legally married gay couples.

Those amendments deal with the right to marry rather than the legal and employment benefits that come with marriage.

Supporters of gay marriage argue those benefits should be available to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. But opponents say the issues are separate, and while they reject gay marriage, some of them agree benefits should apply to gay and heterosexuals alike.

A total of 2,961 gay couples got married in Oregon from March 3 until a judge stopped the practice six weeks later. Now, a cloud of uncertainty surrounds their legal status.

"When the mailman comes, my first thought is: 'Oh my God, here comes the letter. They're cutting me off,' " said Burke, who previously paid $200 a month out of pocket for her own, bare-bones insurance.
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posted by jikido  # 1:23 PM