Winston-Salem now offers employee benefits to same-sex couples who are married.The Winston-Salem Journal reported that the city's human resources director sent a letter Aug. 28 saying Winston-Salem would recognize marriage licenses from any state or U.S. jurisdiction for benefits. Director Carmen Caruth said that include opposite- or same-sex couple.Caruth cited a ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned a gay-marriage ban in Virginia and a recent statement by state Attorney General Roy Cooper that he would no longer defend the marriage amendment to the state constitution.The city set up an enrollment period that ends Oct. 31 for all qualified employees.City Manager Lee Garrity said he doesn't know if any other North Carolina cities are recognizing same-sex marriages.

Winston-Salem now offers employee benefits to same-sex couples who are married.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported that the city's human resources director sent a letter Aug. 28 saying Winston-Salem would recognize marriage licenses from any state or U.S. jurisdiction for benefits. Director Carmen Caruth said that include opposite- or same-sex couple.


Caruth cited a ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned a gay-marriage ban in Virginia and a recent statement by state Attorney General Roy Cooper that he would no longer defend the marriage amendment to the state constitution.

The city set up an enrollment period that ends Oct. 31 for all qualified employees.

City Manager Lee Garrity said he doesn't know if any other North Carolina cities are recognizing same-sex marriages.