My partner of 30 years works for Arlington Public Schools, which at one time was going to extend health benefits in a similar manner -- until the Commonwealth killed the proposal, that is.  Though we are the same age and both healthy, my health insurance premiums have been about four times as much as his.  We have often considered moving to a state with fairer, more forward-looking policies.  If we were young and just starting out, that's what we would do.

Fact is, Virginia is in competition with many other states for quality workers.  The way to attract and keep them is to provide a socioeconomic climate that is progressive and nondiscriminatory.  Beginning to provide state benefits on an impartial basis is just one step in that process, but an important one.  Let's do it!