The city of Easton became the fifth in the state last week to approve domestic-partner benefits for same-sex partners of city employees.
The Easton City Council unanimously approved a domestic-partner measure in a vote May 25. Mayor Sal Panto is scheduled to sign the bill next week.
After taking the vote, the councilmembers received a standing ovation from the packed room. No member of the public spoke out against the measure at the meeting.
The measure was first introduced in April by Councilman Michael Fleck and passed out of committee last month.
Pennsylvania Diversity Network vice president Adrian Shanker, who, along with president Liz Bradbury, worked with Fleck to craft the bill, praised its passage.
“I am so pleased by the unanimous and bipartisan support for relationship recognition for same-sex couples in Easton,” Shanker said. “Easton now joins the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies in providing the best human-resources policies for their employees.”
Bradbury noted that the success of the domestic-partner legislation signals the progress Easton has made in recent years on LGBT acceptance.
“Easton has come a long way, and I am thrilled that I can recommend it as a progressive place to live or work for the LGBT community,” she said.
To be eligible for the program, city employees must have cohabitated with their same-sex partners for at least six months and provide proof of financial interdependence, such as a shared lease, mortgage or bank account.
Allentown adopted a similar measure earlier this year. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg also offer domestic-partner benefits for city employees.
A signing ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. June 6 at Centre Square. In the event of rain, the signing will take place in Easton’s City Hall.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].