Posted on: Wednesday, August 29, 2001

Gannett to offer benefits to same-sex partners

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Va. — Gannett Co., the nation's largest newspaper publisher, will soon offer full medical benefits to same-sex partners who live together, the company announced yesterday.

The company also will offer benefits to unmarried domestic partners of the opposite sex. The benefits for partners will become available in January 2002.

To be eligible, partners must first have had a 12-month relationship. They must also sign an affidavit that declares there is financial dependence between them.

Gannett spokeswoman Tara Connell said there have been several requests from employees for equal coverage for domestic partners.

"We've been looking at it for years," Connell said. She said the company's rapid growth last year slowed the process of revamping the benefits.

Unlike married couples of the opposite sex, an employee claiming the benefits will still have to pay taxes on the amount used to insure his or her partner. The IRS does not extend tax exemptions for medical benefits to domestic partners.

Gannett's decision was hailed by gay and lesbian groups.

"To stay competitive you have to provide good benefits," said Sherry Boschert, a board member of The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. "It just makes good business sense."

Gannett employs about 53,400 people at 98 newspapers in the United States. The company also owns about 23 television stations.