This is an excellent idea.  It would make the state of Virginia a fairer place to be.  I've taught at Virginia Tech for twenty years, and my partner and I have been together for almost thirteen of those years.  It's about time he got a chance to be covered by my health care benefits if, God forbid, he loses his job.  We've been together longer than a lot of heterosexual married couples I know.  Why should we be denied the same rights as other folks?

This proposal would not cost the taxpayers anything.  And it would benefit all sorts of people, not just gays and lesbians.

Jeff Mann

Associate Professor of Creative Writing

Virginia Tech