Pa. Math Teacher Sues for Partner's Benefits

A math teacher is suing a western Pennsylvania public school support agency seeking benefits for his same-sex partner.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday on behalf of 47-year-old Bradley Ankney argues he's unfairly being denied benefits, which are available to heterosexual colleagues who can legally marry in Pennsylvania.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit provides benefits to married partners, and Ankney contends the policy discriminates because gays can't legally marry in Pennsylvania. However, the intermediate unit doesn't provide benefits to unmarried heterosexual partners, either.

The intermediate unit referred comment to its attorney, who did not immediately return a call.

Reggie Shuford, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which filed the lawsuit, says, "Conditioning employment benefits on marriage discriminates against gays and lesbians because they cannot get married under Pennsylvania law ... ."