This letter was published in The State News in the Thursday 20 March 2003 edition. The bracketed phrase in the third paragraph was dropped when the letter was printed, which I think made hash of my final paragraph.
Benefits need to include students
I was deeply saddened to read in Tuesday's edition of The State News that Carolyn O'Laughlin felt she had to resign her position as an assistant hall director because MSU has failed to come to terms with the issue of domestic partner benefits and equal treatment of LBGT students on campus ("Hall director resigns over lack of same sex benefits," SN 3/18).
I know this problem was raised more than five years ago, when students realized trustee approval of domestic partner benefits did not extend to them. It's never been clarified how DPB apply to couples that contain a transgender partner either.
Come on, MSU[, equality isn't that difficult a concept.] - when some people are prevented from doing what others are allowed (or in this case required) to do, you don't have it.
Lisa Lees
East Lansing resident