Nation IN BRIEF : COLORADO : Ruling on Lesbian ‘Spouse’ Applauded

Civil liberties lawyers hailed an administrative ruling that a lesbian “spouse” is entitled to sick-leave pay reserved for immediate family members of city workers. A hearing officer of the Denver Career Service Board overturned the city’s decision to deny sick leave for a lesbian employee who was caring for her ill “spouse.” “This is the only (same sex) spousal rights case involving sick leave that I know of,” said William Rubenstein, director of the National Lesbian and Gay Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union in New York City. Mary Ross had claimed three days of leave to care for her “permanent life partner,” Jeannie DiClementi, during an illness and follow-up tests.