UAB extends benefits to same-sex partners

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is the first state university to offer health insurance to domestic partners of faulty and employees.  The new ordinance will go into affect as of January 1, 2010, but faculty and staff were able to enroll same-sex partners and their children in medical, dental and vision plans for the first time earlier this month, for coverage beginning in the new year.

This is amazing, yet not surprising considering it's the only university in the state that has a "non-discrimination policy" including sexual orientation and gender identity in the state dubbed "Safe Zone".  Although the officials at UAB denied the independent film by Birmingham filmmaker and UAB student's documentary "One Closed Door After Another" about the lack of benefits for employees this summer at the Birmingham SHOUT LGBT film festival. 

Here's an except of the film:



Well, Birmingham is trying to keep up with UAB allowing this, and it will help retain more top talent as a research university.