National Coming Out Day

Budget Information

UCOP Diversity Resources, Reports and Information

Discrimination in the Workplace

FAQs on Marriage

New UC Staff Information

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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National Coming Out Day

October 11th has become a national day of celebration, pride and activism. In the San Francisco Bay Area there are events in celebration of this day. This holiday is significant be visibilty means higher self-esteem and an opportunity to come out as who you really are. It doesn't require an appropriate time to say something to your family, friends and colleagues. On this day you can say, "Today is National Coming Out Day and I'm celebrating my coming out!"

Below are two events sponsored by Marriage Equality for NCOD and general marriage equality education. If you want to learn more about other events - look it up on the internet!

On Sunday, October 11th join Marriage Equality, USA for our 6th Annual Coast to Coast Bridgewalk as we march across the Golden Gate Bridge in support of marriage equality and in solidarity with the National Equality March in Washington, DC happening. Our Bridgewalk starts at 9:30am at Crissy Field and is a great event for kids, dogs, grandparents and the whole family.

Before the march, we will begin with speakers, including Senator Mark Leno, and a short conference call with the Californians volunteering for the No on 1 campaign in Maine and Californians participating in the National Equality March in Washington D.C. This event is free, but a $25 donation will get you a Marriage Equality USA t-shirt. To create your own fundraising page for this event, you can help support Marriage Equality USA's ongoing efforts in building bridges of understanding, fairness and support for all loving committed couples.g simultaneously.

Then on Monday, October 26th do something Wicked in support of Marriage Equality USA. Join us and the San Francisco cast of Wicked, along with members of the San Francisco arts community (and beyond), for one of the most important events of the year Defying Inequality. The San Francisco Concert is a one-night only concert benefitting Marriage Equality USA and Garden State Equality two equal rights organizations. Featuring stars from stage & screen, the concert will be held at 7:30pm at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre (3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA). A VIP reception will be held in the lobby immediately following the event. For tickets and information, please contact City Box Office at (415) 392-4400 and visit Defying Inequality's website.

For more information on both events, go to Marriage Equality USA's home page.

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.

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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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