NC Town Considers Domestic Partner Benefits

A Winston-Salem City Council committee is to consider whether to offer benefits to same-sex domestic partners.

Local media outlets reported the proposal is on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting of a council committee.

But city officials say they already are offering benefits to those who have been married anywhere in the country where same-sex marriages are legal.

Human Resources Director Carmen Caruth wrote employees last month telling them the city would recognize marriage licenses from any state or U.S. jurisdiction.

Caruth cited a ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned a gay-marriage ban in Virginia and a recent statement by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper that he would no longer defend the marriage amendment to the state constitution.

That amendment was approved in 2012.