I've been in a committed relationship for over a decade and we have three beautiful children together with another on the way. When recently applying for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits so as to attend the necessary prenatal care appointments and ultrasounds, my partner was initially told he had been granted this important support. But sad to say, this provision was later rescinded, just because we are not legally married.

Our situation is not unique. The US Census Bureau reported that in 2018, 5.3 million couples were cohabiting without being married, 39% of whom had children (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2020). These families, much like ours, are denied important familial rights simply because of their marital status.

We want to call upon MetLife and employers across the United States to reconsider their definitions in the eligibility criteria for FMLA. The spirit of this act is to provide support for families during important life events without the threat of job loss. How then does it make sense to exclude families like ours?

Domestic partners with children in common deserve the certainty and support that the Family and Medical Leave Act provides. We request a revision of the legislation to unequivocally recognize the rights of domestic partners and include such relationships in the eligibility criteria for FMLA.

Please support our cause and sign this petition to ensure families, regardless of their marital status, receive the support they need at crucial times in their lives.