12 — Friday, Juty 3, 1998 — North Shore News

INQUIRING REPORTER Do you agree with same. sex spousal benefits?

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Ujjal Dosanjh introduced

legislation June 22 that will allow gays and lesbians

working in B.C.’s public service to collect survivor

pension benefits. If passed, the law would be the first

of its kind in Canada and apply to approximately

235,000 public employees including teachers, librari-

oe ans, municipal workers, college staff and bus drivers.

inguiring Nobody knows how many of these workers are homo-

reporter sexual but estimates for the general population range

from three to 10 percent. Same sex partners have

already been defined as “spouses” in the Family

Relations Act, and Bills 31 and 32 (introduced last year) will give homosexual cou-

ples the same rights as heterosexuals on child custody, access and maintenance

issues, The introduction of those bills created a strong backlash last year from the

religious right and those with self-styled “traditional family values.” We asked a

similar question one year ago. Interestingly, your opinions have changed very lit-
ie.

NORTH SHORE DEMOGRAPHICS
¥
No ROY
___Horseshoe Ba: 32% 31%
_ Dundarave/Ambleside 16% 20%
British Properties 53%
.__. Norgate/Pemberton Heights
’ Capilano/Delbrook Highlands 33%
Lower Lonsdale
Central.and Upper.Lonsdale
“., Lynn Valley. -
Blueridge:
~ TOTAL .......

Nirjan Locke

West Vancouver

I agree. Absolutely. They’re

partners in a relationship

and care for one another.

People don’t have ta have
ical opposite-sex relation-

ships.

Pauline Smith

Vancouver

i feel it’s only fair. I really
don’t think horinsexuals
have an option and they-are
being penalized if we are not
giving them the same bene-

ts.

Fashion Statement: —

Be sure to read Layne Christensen every Sunday.

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For your convenience; fines:
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