Ocean Co. Facing Further Criticism on DP Benefits

November 24, 2005

TOMS RIVER—New Jersey gay and civil rights activists held a rally outside the Ocean County Administration Building in Toms River on November 23 to protest a clear act of discrimination that New Jersey's Domestic Partnership Act of 2004 failed to prevent.

The rally was prompted by the recent vote against the extension of pension benefits to the registered domestic partner of Lt. Laurel Hester, a county investigator who is dying of lung cancer. The 26-year law enforcement veteran had asked the county to allow her to name her partner as her beneficiary. However, the freeholders have refused to do so, citing financial reasons. One freeholder, John P. Kelly, also cited his denial for moral reasons.

The rally was joined by state Sen. John Adler (D-Camden), one of the sponsors of the Domestic Partnership Act, and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th District), who urged the freeholders to reverse their decision.

Pallone said, to think that a law enforcement officer is a person … who has to face this kind of discrimination in New Jersey is terribly disappointing to me.

County Freeholder John Bartlett's explanation that the board's decision against extending the benefits to Hester was a matter of finances, is countered by Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes' comments when that county approved extension of benefits to its employees. .

Although some claim the failure invalidates the entire Domestic Partnership Act, some of the blame must be placed on those who would support marriage equality to the exclusion of all other legal protections for same-sex couples.

See Star Ledger.

Posted by Stephen J. Hyland at November 24, 2005 5:21 AM