MEDIA ADVISORY
Arguments Wednesday Challenging Discriminatory State Trooper Benefits Policy
Surviving Partner of Missouri State Trooper Killed on Duty Excluded from Receiving Survivor Benefits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2011
CONTACT:
Robyn Shepherd, ACLU national, (212) 519-7829 or 549-2666; media@aclu.org
Anthony Rothert, ACLU of Eastern Missouri, (314) 652-3114
JEFFERSON CITY – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Eastern Missouri will be in court Wednesday, November 30 to argue on behalf of Kelly Glossip, whose partner, Dennis Engelhard, was a state trooper killed in the line of duty while responding to an accident on Christmas Day, 2009. Missouri offers survivor benefits to spouses of state troopers who are killed in the line of duty, but excludes committed same-sex partners from receiving those benefits. Glossip is seeking the same survivor benefits provided to different-sex partners.
More information on this case can be found at:
http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/glossip-v-missouri-department-transportation-and-highway-patrol-employees-retirement-sys
WHAT:
Arguments in challenge to policy that excludes committed same-sex partners from receiving survivor benefits offered to spouses of state troopers killed in the line of duty.
WHO:
Joshua Block, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project will be presenting arguments. Also in attendance and available to speak to reporters are:
· John Knight, staff attorney with the ACLU LGBT Project
· Anthony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri
· Kelly Glossip, plaintiff
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
1:30 p.m. CT
WHERE:
Cole County Courthouse
301 East High Street
Jefferson City, MO
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