Plaintiff Couples in Lambda Legal's Lawsuit: Collins v. Brewer
Published 11/17/09
Tracy Collins and Diana Forrest
(l-r, Quartzsite)
Arizona Highway Patrol officer Tracy Collins (far left), 40, and Diana Forrest, 44, have been together for nearly 11 years — raising three kids and surviving a lot of ups and downs in that time. Diana is not eligible for health benefits through her current job, and after she suffered a debilitating illness in 1999, the couple was forced to declare bankruptcy. Domestic partner benefits from Tracy’s job have provided a vital shield for their family.
Judith McDaniel and Jan Schwartz
(l-r, Tuscon)
UA poly–sci and women's studies adjunct instructor Judith McDaniel (near right), 66, first met spouse Jan Schwartz, 62, in 1983 and the two have been together as a couple for nearly twenty years. They married in Massachusetts on May 17, 2004 — the first day same-sex couples could marry there. Jan has been twice diagnosed with breast cancer and also has glaucoma. She depends on health coverage through Judith’s job for her ongoing tests and treatment.
Corey Seemiller, Karrie Mitchell and their daughter (l-r, Tuscon)
Corey Seemiller (far left), 36, is Program Director for Curricular Leadership at UA's Center for Student Involvement & Leadership. She and partner Karrie Mitchell, 33, are parents of seven-month-old Kacey. While the couple planned her birth together, Karrie is the biological mother. The elimination of benefits for a domestic partner's child means that Corey will not be able to cover their child, placing significant financial stress on this young family.
Jennifer Morris, Leslie Kemp and their son (l-r, Sedona)
Leslie Kemp (far right), 39, is marketing coordinator at Northern Arizona University. She and partner Jennifer Morris, 37, have been together since 2004. They have a two–and–a–half–year–old son, and are expecting a second child next year. Without domestic partner benefits for Jennifer through Leslie's job, the couple will be unable to afford other coverage for Jennifer.
Joseph R. Diaz and Ruben E. Jiménez
(l-r, Tuscon)
Joseph R. Diaz (far left), 50, and Ruben E. Jiménez, 46, have been together 17 years. Joseph has worked as a librarian at UA since 1992. Ruben has type–2 diabetes and high cholesterol and depends on health insurance through Joseph's group plan because his current job does not offer benefits. They have been unable to find any individual insurance policy that will cover Ruben’s health needs.
Keith Humphrey and Brett Klay
(l-r, Tuscon)
University of Arizona, Tucson, administrator and faculty member Keith Humphrey (near right), 35, and partner Brett Klay, 43, met nine years ago and are raising three children together, including two with special needs. Brett is a stay–at–home dad with health insurance as Keith's domestic partner. In August 2009, he was diagnosed with a torn carotid artery. Without insurance through Keith's employment, the couple does not know how they could afford the medical care Brett needs to recover.
Mia Labarbara, Deanna Pfleger and their children (l-r, Lake Havasu City)
Deanna Pfleger (near right), 43, is a peace officer with the Arizona Department of Game and Fish. She and partner Mia LaBarbara, 42, will celebrate 20 years together in 2010. They are parents to two children, ages seven and 10. Mia recently lost her job and depends on Deanna's coverage more than ever.
Stephen Russell and Scott Neeley
(l-r, Tuscon)
Stephen Russell (near right), 43, is a professor and director of the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, & Families at UA. He and 54-year-old partner Scott Neeley have been together since 1993 and are registered domestic partners in California. Scott is self–employed, and depends on his health insurance through Stephen's position at the university. When Scott recently needed tests to check for prostate cancer, the couple realized how vulnerable they would be without domestic partner benefits.
Sue Shapcott and Carrie Sperling
(l-r, Phoenix)
Carrie Sperling (near right), 43, is a visiting clinical associate professor of law at Arizona State University. Her partner, 40–year–old Sue Shapcott, left a successful business in Dallas as a golf instructor so Carrie could accept the position at ASU and depends on the domestic partner coverage Carrie receives there. The couple would pay far more in healthcare costs if Sue lost partner coverage from the university.
Susan Taunton and Beverly Seckinger
(l-r, Tuscon)
Beverly Seckinger (far right), 49, is professor and interim director of the School of Media Arts at UA. She and partner Susan Taunton, 55, have been together for 22 years. Susan can only work part–time while she cares for her 88–year–old mother, so she relies on Beverly's insurance through UA. Private insurers have previously rejected Susan due to her asthma, so the couple worries they will have to leave Arizona to seek work in a state offering domestic partner benefits to public employees.
The case is Collins v. Brewer.
