Union To Finally Recognize Gay Couple's 51 Year Relationship, Provide Pension Benefits

Marvin Burrows and life partner William Swenor thought they had done everything necessary to ensure for each other's financial future should either of them die.

The Hayward, California couple, together for 51 years, registered as domestic partners under the state law and in 2004 were married in San Francisco. The marriage was one of hundreds of same-sex marriages later annulled by the California Supreme Court but their domestic partnership remained intact.

Then suddenly in 2005 Swenor died.

When Burrows applied for the pension benefits left by Swenor the Industrial Employers and Distributors Association and Warehouse Union rejected the claim on the grounds the couple had not married and under federal law their relationship was invalid.

As a result, Burrows had to leave the home that he and Swenor had shared for many years and was left completely destitute. Assisted by the National Center for Lesbian Rights Burrows for two years fought the union, and this week learned he had won.

The ILWU has informed NCLR that it had changed its policy to provide registered domestic partners with the same pension benefits as spouses. The ILWU also agreed to make this change retroactive to March 1, 2005, thereby enabling Burrows to receive his deceased partner's pension benefits.