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(Madison, Wisconsin) Fears of a gay
"brain drain" over Wisconsin's pending vote on banning same-sex
marriage, and the lack of partner benefits for gay employees of state
institutions, may be starting to come to fruition.
Rob Carpick, an associate professor of
engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher who
has won millions of dollars in grants for his research in the field of
nanotechnology, is leaving for the more gay-friendly University of Pennsylvania.
He takes with him the funding - some $3.4 million
in grants from the National Science Foundation, branches of the U.S. military
and private companies since 2000.
"After six and one-half years of working very hard, I found it's
problematic to work in an environment where you are not treated equally,"
Carpick, 37, told The Associated Press. "Fortunately
there are other entities that are more enlightened than the state of Wisconsin
on this issue and the University of Pennsylvania is one of them."
Caprick married his his longtime partner Carlos
Chan in Canada in 2003. The marriage is not recognized in Wisconsin and
the couple is not eligible for spousal benefits.
To get health insurance Chan, a chef, took a
menial job at the university.
At the University of Pennsylvania Caprick will be
able to get domestic partner benefits and Chan will be able to open a small
restaurant and not worry about health insurance.
The loss of Caprick is a blow to the University
of Wisconsin. It is trying to build a reputation in nanotechnology.
"Rob is one of our young superstars," Michael
Corradini, chair of the engineering physics department told the AP.
Carpick is the latest in a series of faculty members who have
left the school because they cannot get partner benefits.
UW-Madison Provost Patrick Farrell told the AP
that top scholars will not consider working at the university because of the policy.
Last year Republicans stripped out of the budget
a proposal by Gov Jim Doyle to provide domestic partner benefits to University
of Wisconsin employees.
Six lesbian state workers seeking family benefits
for their partners subsequently filed suit. (story)
The case is still before the courts.
In November voters will be asked to approve an
amendment to the state constitution which would ban same-sex marriage and civil
unions and could, opponents believe, be used to block domestic partner benefits
for gay and non-gay non-married couples.
Business leaders and trade unions are opposed to
the measure.
Earlier this month Wisconsin's travel industry -
one of the state's biggest businesses - said it fears it could suffer millions
of dollars in losses if the amendment is passed. (story)
The state's biggest unions also have announced
their opposition. (story)
The unions include those representing teachers,
public sector employees and prison guards. The AFSCME alone represents
44,000 public service and health-care workers in Wisconsin.
The unions believe that by potentially
controlling who may receive benefits the state would be removing their right to
bargain.
©365Gay.com 2006
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