Via We Talk Sex Blog here’s a silly story about domestic partnerships. This one’s about the University of Florida trying to get their employees to affirm that they’ve had sex with their domestic partners in the last 12 months in order to be eligible for coverage.

It raises a bunch of sticky issues (ok, in this case non-sticky issues.) First of all it differentiates unmarried couples from married ones since some measurable fraction of long-term couples can go for years without having sex yet the married ones will automatically be eligible anyway. It also kind of leaves the hormonally impaired, the infirm, (some of) the elderly, the impotent, the sexually traumatized, and the asexual in the lurch.

Read about it here.

UF Requirement For Partner Benefits: You Must Have Sex!
University of Florida employees have to pledge that they’re having sex with their domestic partners before qualifying for benefits under a new health care plan at the university.

The partners of homosexual and heterosexual employees are eligible for coverage under UF’s plan, which will take effect in February. The enrollment process began this month, and some employees have expressed concern about an affidavit that requires a pledge of sexual activity.

Fielding questions about the pledge at a Faculty Senate meeting Thursday, UF’s vice president of human resources said he’s heard concerns about the affidavit, though overall feedback about the plan has been positive.

“I would say 95 percent of the affidavit is fine,” Kyle Cavanaugh said in an interview after the meeting.

In addition to declaring joint financial obligations, prospective enrollees must “have been in a non-platonic relationship for the preceding 12 months,” according to the affidavit.

Marylou Behnke, a UF senator, told Cavanaugh she found the requirement “offensive.”