Gay Discrimination Law Illegal University Says
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff



(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) In an attempt to avoid paying benefits to the partners of its gay and lesbian employees the University of Pittsburgh is calling for a court to strike down the city's non discrimination ordinance that protects gays.

In its brief, the University of Pittsburgh argues that the City of Pittsburgh did not have the authority to include sexual orientation protection in its civil right ordinance since sexual orientation was not covered by state civil rights protections.

If the court accepts the argument it would invalidate civil rights ordinances in other Pennsylvania cities including Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, York and Erie that also protect against sexual orientation.

Gay workers at the university have been fighting for eight years to get the partner benefits.