I contributed to the confusion because I tried to say too many different things, and ended up saying nothing--I just meant that the health insurance isn't really provided for the significant other, so you are not receiving insurance for one when the domestic partner gets insurance for two(which would mean that there was a different level of compensation for you. based on your gender)--Anyway, on reflection, I think that that point is wrong, , because your benefits are the product of collective bargaining, and not just arbitrary policy of you employer--My main point probably should have been that you can tell the union what you want, and if you can find enough other people who want the same arrangement, then in the next go-around, they can try to get it for you--