Openly gay SF Supervisor Matt Dorsey wants to end city's domestic partner ordinance: Here's why

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- There is a proposal on the table to repeal a San Francisco city law regarding domestic partner benefits.

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey says it's an outdated law that is costing San Francisco residents. But opponents claim it's a safeguard and protection for the LGBTQ+ community.

Dorsey claims that by repealing the law, it will widen the pool of businesses that are eligible to apply for city contracts, therefore making the process more competitive in the city's favor.

But many in the LGBTQ+ community are vehemently against repealing the law.

Those domestic partner benefits come from the city's Equal Benefits Ordinance. That ordinance was passed back in 1996 and requires any companies doing business with San Francisco to provide the same benefits to domestic partners as they would for married couples.

MORE: Talking with the Prop 8 plaintiffs about 10 years of marriage equality

Dorsey is standing firm in his proposal to get rid of the city's Equal Benefits Ordinance.

"Today we have a requirement on the books that basically bans more than 55% of businesses from even bidding competitively on goods and services contracts with the city and county of San Francisco," Dorsey said.

Dorsey, who is openly gay, says he believes the law is outdated and could be costing the city millions of dollars every year.

He says given the extreme budget deficit and fiscal constraints San Francisco is facing, reviewing laws such as this one is the right thing to do.

"I believe that we have a responsibility to our taxpayers to take a hard look at our contracting. What can we do to make our competitive bidding more competitive, to save taxpayer dollars, to get more value for taxpayers' bucks," Dorsey said.

MORE: How US adults' views on same-sex marriage have changed since the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling

Not everyone agrees with Dorsey though.

That includes Gwenn Craig, a former president of the Harvey Milk Club who helped get the law passed back in the 90s. Craig says given the current political landscape of the country, laws like the EBO are still important.

"Leave things in place for the possibility that they may be all you have to rely on in the future. Don't strip away rights that you know might be needed," Craig said.

Craig says in addition to being monumental for the LGBTQ community, the EBO has also had an impact on thousands of other people in San Francisco too.

"There are elderly couples who have taken advantage of this. There are heterosexual partners who have taken advantage of this, and continue to do so," she said.

Dorsey says if marriage equality was ever reversed across the country, he would be in favor of bringing the EBO back into effect in San Francisco. But, for now, he says he's pushing for what he thinks is right.

"The Equal Benefits Ordinance is no longer a gay priority. It does not serve any purpose to advance LGBTQ+ equality," Dorsey said.