Ouch! Yeah, it sounds like you fell through the cracks by that definition. Time to discuss what to negotiate next time with your union rep -- unless you want to fight it. It sounds pretty unethical to me, even if I do think it's an accidental oversight.

Here in California the governor just signed into law some pretty significant steps in giving domestic partners some of the legal protections of married couples, like hospital visits and allowing the adoption of children as a step-parent. I don't think it includes any gender specific language. I know the State of California provides benefits to domestic partners, but they only cover same-sex partners.

That part stinks!

While investigation the immigration laws for Australia, I discovered they have a whole visa class that's equivalent to spouses for what they call "De-Facto Spouses," and it specifically states that it includes *any* couple (not just gays) as long as they meet a cohabitation requirement.

You sure you don't want to take an island vacation for two and get "married" by some local tribal chief just for kicks? As long as it's legal there, most places will accept it :)