Iowa Lesbians Want Change in Definition of Family

(Des Moines, Iowa) Two lesbians, M and Sandra Patton-Imani, filed a complaint with the Des Moines Human Rights Commission after their family membership with the YMCA was revoked on the basis that they were not considered to be a family. The YMCA did, however, offer the lesbians a "member plus" program with comparable benefits at the same price.

Nevertheless, the lesbians were unsatisfied.

"Changing the definition was the most important thing to us," Sandi Patton-Imani said.

Consequently, they were able to get the city of Des Moines to force the YMCA to change its definition of family under threat of the loss of $102,000 in funding.

The couple said Monday they will sign an agreement with the YMCA that changes the nonprofit organization's definition of family from a heterosexual couple to include cohabiting adults.

Upon seeing the agreement, however, the lesbians balked. The couple refused to sign the agreement since it contained a confidentiality clause and failed to meet their demands for $5,000 to establish two legal aid funds to handle legal issues related to gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual families; and a free lifetime family membership. It seems the lesbians wanted considerably more than a membership at the Y.

The Des Moines Human Rights Commission must now decide whether further action is required. In the meantime, the lesbians are contemplating a lawsuit against the Des Moines Human Rights Commission since their demands were not included in the agreement.

In other news, as yet there has been no confirmation of the rumor that herdsman Rufus and his cohabiting sheep Trixie are seeking to have their relationship defined as a family also.

Companion post at The Dread Pundit Bluto.