FedEx to Offer Same-Sex Benefits

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis-based FedEx is gaining ground with the gay and lesbian community. Tuesday, the shipping giant announced changes with health benefits that are more inclusive of same-sex couples. And one group says the inclusive move could lure more people to our city.

The changes won't take effect for a couple years. But, the changes we see in the city could start taking shape sooner than that. More companies could follow suit, and more people might decide to make Memphis home.

Shipping giant FedEx has decided to offer health insurance to same sex domestic partners, after employees made the request.

"It's a huge deal. I know a lot of people that work for FedEx, a lot of people that are part of our community that this will directly benefit, directly impact."

Will Batts is not a FedEx employee himself, but the conversation and issue hits close to home. Batts is the Executive Director of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. He's also living in a domestic partnership, and recently received benefits this year when his partner's company made a similar move.

"For me, I obviously had to have my own insurance, and so it was really expensive. I didn't use it a whole lot but it was expensive for me and so now being able to be on my partner's insurance, it definitely helps our family."

Cost-savings is important of course, but more important is equality and fairness, Batts said. "It's never too late to do the right thing, and we obviously think its the right thing to have families protect themselves in the same way married couples do."

The benefit won't become available until January 1, 2012. A company spokeswoman said it will take time for FedEx to add the benefit to a package that was cut to deal with the recession. It will be extended to all 225,000 domestic employees. Here in Memphis, that means about 30,000 people.

"One of the things we've learned about cities is that the more diverse they are the more they attract creative people, the more they attract people that are innovative and motivated to improve their communities," said Batts.

A creative class would only help to move Memphis to another level, he added. California already offers same-sex health coverage.

"I think what they found is that it didn't end civilization, it didn't infringe upon their business. It just made them a better company, and made them attract the people that they want working for FedEx."

We want to know what you think about this move. Is it long overdue, or is now the right time to make a move of this caliber? Add your comments to our online conversation below.