Updated - Oct. 29, 2013
The Missouri Supreme Court released its decision to affirm the circuit court's judgment. Judges Teitelman and Draper dissented.
"We are disappointed and disagree with the majority’s reasoning, but are hopeful this case will help the people of Missouri understand the crucial need for legislative efforts to overcome discrimination against lesbian and gays and same-sex couples," said John Knight, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project.
"The ACLU will continue to fight for LGBT Missourians," said Jeffrey A. Mittman, executive director of the ACLU-MO. "We’ll be vindicated by history. The day will come when gay men and lesbians are included as full citizens. We will not stop until all Missourians have full equality.
"We note that the dissenting judges acknowledged that Missouri discriminates 'against gay and lesbians by categorically denying them crucial state benefits when their partner dies in the line of duty. This type of intentional, invidious and specifically targeted discrimination is fundamentally inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law.'”
Updated - Feb. 27, 2013
Jefferson City, MO – Maurice Graham, of the Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C., law firm in St. Louis and cooperating attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, appeared before the Missouri Supreme Court on Feb. 27, for oral arguments in Glossip v. Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System.
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri and the ACLU of Kansas & Western Missouri filed a lawsuit 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 of 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 opposite-sex partners.
Updated - Nov. 8, 2012
Kelly Glossip filed his brief with the Missouri Supreme on Monday, Nov. 5. In addition, elected officials; law school professors; and a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) law enforcement organization filed amici briefs on Glossip’s behalf.
The “friends of the court” are 15 current and former elected officials, such as U.S. Congressman Lacy Clay (D), St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (D), and State Rep. Zachary Wyatt (R); professors from each of the state’s four law schools; and members of LEGAL International (Law Enforcement Gays and Lesbians International) and its affiliates. “It’s encouraging to have such a diverse group agree that it’s time to stop discriminating against lesbian and gay Missouri State Highway Patrol employees who’ve worked for and deserve the same protections for their life partners as heterosexual couples,” says Brenda L. Jones, executive director of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri.
Monday, Nov. 5, was the deadline for Kelly Glossip’s attorneys to file their briefs in the case, which is now before the Missouri Supreme Court. Oral arguments will likely be scheduled in the spring.
December 2, 2010
Surviving Partner Of Missouri State Trooper Killed On Duty Challenges Discriminatory Benefits Policy
Same-Sex Couples Excluded From Receiving Survivor Benefits
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri and the ACLU of Kansas & Western Missouri filed a lawsuit today 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 of last year. 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 spouses of opposite-sex partners.
“Dennis and I loved each other and lived in a committed relationship for 15 years. We depended on each other emotionally and financially in our life together like any other committed couple. We exchanged rings and would have married in Missouri if the state didn’t exclude us from marriage,” said Glossip. “I‘m just seeking the same financial protections the state provides to heterosexual couples. It is hard enough coping with the grief of losing Dennis. It is even more painful to have the state treat Dennis and me as though we were total strangers.”
Spouses of Missouri State Highway Patrol employees are entitled to an annuity of 50 percent of the employee’s average salary if the employee is killed on duty. Since Engelhard’s death, Glossip has struggled with paying the mortgage on the home they both owned. While Glossip is not challenging the definition of marriage under Missouri law, he is challenging the benefits policy as a violation of his rights under the Missouri Constitution.
“Dennis and Kelly were a family in every sense of the word,” said John Knight, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project. “They owned a home together, shared cars and bank accounts, and Dennis even helped Kelly care for his child from a former marriage. They vowed to take care of each other in good times and in bad. As a matter of basic fairness, Kelly should be entitled to the same security as other bereaved partners of troopers killed in the line of duty.”
Engelhard was struck by a vehicle while responding to an accident on Christmas Day, 2009. Following his death, the governor ordered all U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff. Kelly attended a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in May 2010 commemorating the loss of police officers nationwide, and was recognized with a medallion as Engelhard’s surviving partner.
“Kelly is merely seeking the same treatment he would have received if his partner had been a woman, rather than a man,” said Anthony Rothert, Legal Director of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri. “Kelly may not have been able to marry the person of his choice under Missouri state law, but he is still entitled to equal protection and the fundamental right to the family relationship he formed with Dennis Engelhard. He is seeking the same dignity and security for his family that is granted to other state troopers’ families.”