Larry deGroen and Faun Patzer put their lives on the line for the people of Bellevue, Washington, each day they go to work as firefighters and paramedics. George Einsetler assists members of the public when they’re at their most vulnerable as a lead “911” dispatcher for the city. Each has served the city for more than 10 years with distinction. Each is in a committed relationship with a same-sex partner. Each is being denied valuable family benefits that are offered to their heterosexual married co-workers. Lambda Legal has filed a suit against the city of Bellevue seeking equal family benefits for its gay and lesbian public employees as a basic issue of fairness — equal pay for equal work.
