A gay California man has sued Little Caesars pizza chain for allegedly failing to provide his husband — and other legally married gay couples — with health care benefits.
Frank Bernard, 47, filed the suit in state Superior Court in Orange County, after quitting his job over the denial of benefits to his gay partner.
“I didn’t want anything special,” he said, Reuters reported. “I just wanted the same benefits package as heterosexual couples.”
The lawsuit names Little Caesars Enterprises and its Ilitch Holdings parent company as defendants, alleging discrimination under California law.
The policy of the pizza chain defines spouse as “the one person to whom you are legally married under the laws of the state in which you reside, including common law spouse and who is the opposite gender from you,” Reuters reported.
Mr. Bernard worked at the chain for six years. He’s seeking unspecified monetary damages and a court order for the company to treat gays same as heterosexuals in terms of benefits.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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