Ariz.: Judge Reverses Partner Benefits Blockage

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against Arizona on Friday to prevent the state from enforcing a law that would do away with domestic partnership benefits for gay and lesbian state employees.

"Contrary to the state's suggestion, it is not equitable to lay the burden of the state budgetary shortfall on homosexual employees, any more than on any other distinct class, such as employees with green eyes or red hair," U.S. district judge John Sedwick wrote, according to AZCentral.

The law was on track to go into effect on October 1. It would have stopped coverage for gay and straight unmarried domestic partners as well as their children.