City of Tampa, City Council
306 East Jackson Street, 1 N
Tampa, Florida 33602
Dear Sirs/Madames:
It is clear since the death of Officer Lois Marrero that the City of Tampa
must provide equal benefits for equal work.
Officer Marrero worked hard, paid her dues and gave the ultimate sacrifice
to the people of the City of Tampa, her life
in the line of duty. However, in life Officer Marrero did not receive
equal benefits for equal work. That is simply wrong.
It is now more than obvious with the gruesome reality of September 11th
that same-sex families experienced the same
violent and unexpected death of loved ones as traditional families. Fortunately
the American Red Cross is being inclusive
in its aide. John A. Clizbe, V.P. Disaster Services, American Red Cross
has stated, "As we distribute the relief funds, the
American Red Cross recognizes that families come in many different forms…we
recognize traditional married families, as
well as the committed relationships and domestic partnerships of many
couples who are living together…. Now is the time to
embrace all families as part of the larger American family, and to assist
all who have lost loved ones."
Now is the time for you to act quickly to be inclusive; establish a domestic
partnership registry; offer employees and contractors
of the city equal benefits for equal work.
I urge you to immediately establish a domestic partnership registry within
the City of Tampa and offer equal work with equal
benefits to all families.