President Obama Update

Budget Information

UCOP Diversity Resources, Reports and Information

Discrimination in the Workplace

Happy Pride Month

FAQs on Marriage

New UC Staff Information

News Update

It was announced yesterday (June 9, 2009) that President Obama is granting domestic partner benefits to all Federal employees. Some speculate that he is doing it because of the fire he drew supporting DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) and his inactivity in getting rid of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy. Those who support the Dallas Principles see this as a "separate but equal" action and want to see equal rights for all citizens. Others hail this as start to working for equal rights. If you want our President to keep with his campaign promise for equal rights, write him.

Budget

The UC LGBTIA underwent a recent reorganization and based on that, UCOP staff decided to start their own LGBTI group. The purposes of this group are described below. UCOP Human Resources continues to support for this group so we can provide advocacy, education and communication to the UCOP community and beyond. We will continue to enjoy working with Rene Jackson as HR Liaison and our new president, Mark Yudof.

Purpose of the UCOP LGBTI Staff Association

The LGBTISA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Staff Association) was born out of the UC LGBTIA. It was formed on April 24, 2009 with Gregory Sykes and Margaret Wu has the new co-Chairs. Although this staff group is new in name, it has existed for over eight years. It will continue to provide, not only advocacy and education, but is committed to its vital presence to the staff at Office of the President.

The new constitution is currently being worked on in order to be inclusive to all staff at UCOP. One of our new goals is to realize equal pay. Currently LG UC couples are taxed for benefits provided to their spouses through the Federal Government. Using the Amercian Bar Association's model, we will be urging the Regents to ensure that we pay as much as straight married couples, no more-no less.

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Discrimination in the Workplace

If you feel that you've experienced any work related discrimination based on your sexual or gender orientation or you would like advice or support in transitioning or coming out in your unit, please contact us and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) office at 7-0606.

Happy Pride Month

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

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My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

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FAQs on Marriage

Do I need to change my domestic partner status should I decide to marry?

No, you do NOT need to change your registration status in any way, at any time, if you marry. Maintaining your DP registration will not affect your marriage, your benefits, your taxes, or anything else. In fact, it may protect you if you travel or move to a state that recognizes domestic partnership, but not marriage.

Is there an advantage to changing my benefit status to UC?

You may change your UC status to “married” and provide the benefits as a spouse, rather than a DP--but there is no benefits advantage to this beyond the symbolic, i.e., having UC record you as married. (The only advantage beyond the symbolic involves state tax: if you’ve been providing benefits to an UNregistered DP, and you marry and inform UC, the benefits will no longer be taxed by California, as explained below.) Since the Courts ruled that the marriages that took place before the ruling are considered valid, you will not have to take any action.

If you are providing UC benefits to your DP now, you do not need to marry to keep providing the benefits. Also, if you want to start providing UC benefits to your DP, you do not need marry to do that: you can, exactly as now, simply tell UC that you are state-registered DPs or fill out the UC affidavit of same-sex partnership.

Bottom line: getting married has absolutely no effect on your UC benefits.

Does my marriage have any effects on my state taxes?

Marriage only changes your state tax situation if you are NOT registered DPs before marrying. If you ARE state-registered DPs, you already have to file your California return as “married,” filing jointly or separately. If you are NOT registered and marry, you will need to start filing a California “married” return, filing jointly or separately, just like any married couple.

Speaking of California taxes, if you are married or a registered DP, California does not tax the benefits you provide to your spouse or DP (assuming UC knows that you’re married or a registered DP). If you are providing benefits to an UNregistered DP, and you marry and inform UC, then the benefits you provide will no longer be taxed by California. The benefits will, however, still be subject to federal tax, as explained below.

Does my California marriage have any effect on my federal taxes?

Your marriage has absolutely no effect on your federal tax status, or anything else overseen by the federal government, such as immigration or Social Security. Even though all same-sex spouses and registered DPs must file their California return as “married,” they cannot file their federal return as “married.” (this means that your state return must be prepared differently from your federal one.)

Will Propostion 8 affect my partner's benefits?

At this time, the University has not changed any of the current benefits offered to same-sex partners/spouses. However, UC may revisit this after the ruling of the Court.

Information in New Employee Orientation Package

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