Fair Treatment

Like any other newly married couple, my wife and I were looking for ways to cut expenses and save money, in October of last year when open enrollment rolled around for both of us we figured we could save money by adding one of us to the other's health insurance policy.

I spent hours on the phone with Cigna and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, checking, double checking, and triple checking if we could even do it, we were told that we could by both companies, after all we are an actual married couple and if need be could provide any documents to back up that fact. 

We went with my wife's company since it would save us about $45 a month. We walked proudly into the HR office and after being told to produce a marriage certificate (I wonder if they would make the same demand of their heterosexual employees) and a 15 minute phone call, we were told that Toni couldn't add me, it seemed that although Blue Cross/Blue Shield gave us the green light, it was up to the actual company that employed her, to say yes or no, and they and said NO!

We were so hurt and angry, she has been been with this employer for over 10 years, has a wonderful reputation and this is how they reward her!?  But we took this defeat in stride, and althrough we are very happy of the progress that the LGBT community has made so far, it just reminds us just how much further we need to go, this situation just makes us want to continue fighting the good fight !!