Notice this is retroactive to 1 July.  If anyone has any
questions, feel free to contact me (gordon@think.com).
Thanks go to the group of fellow employees (lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and straight) who've been working on this issue
for almost the past year.

By the way, we are the first supercomputer or MPP (massively
parallel processing) vendor to introduce equal benefits.  I
also think we are the first hardware company in
Massachusetts to do so.

--gordon

Effective July 1, 1993, individuals (and their dependents) who are the 
same sex spousal equivalent of benefit eligible employees will be 
eligible for benefits under the Thinking Machines health and dental 
benefit plans.   This change in our benefits policy is in keeping with 
our long-standing philosophy of not discriminating based upon sexual 
orientation or lifestyle. 

There were two important considerations in making this decision.   
First, a belief that it is important to respond fairly to issues and 
needs raised by Thinking Machines' employees.  Making this change 
addresses a recognized inequity in access to benefits by gay and lesbian 
employees, who do not have the option of marriage and therefore could 
not qualify for family coverage options available to married 
heterosexual employees.
  
The second consideration is to keep in step with what is fast becoming 
competitive practice within our industry to provide this benefit 
coverage.  Over the last year, there has been considerable attention 
paid to the competitiveness of our benefits program.  This is another 
instance where it was necessary to redefine our policies in order to 
provide a quality, competitive program.    

In order to implement this change, Human Resources will conduct a 
special open enrollment now through the close of business on Tuesday,  
July 20.  A Thinking Machines affidavit of Spousal Equivalency must be 
filled out by both partners attesting to the committed relationship in 
order to qualify.  Since the state and federal governments do not 
recognize these relationships in current tax law, there are taxes 
payable on the value of the additional benefits.

Forms and further information can be obtained from either me (x3026, 
coleman) or Sally Kessel (x3012, kessel).   Enrollment will be treated 
confidentially.  

Thinking Machines values the diversity of its employee population and 
considers it a source of strength and creativity.  Thinking Machines is 
pleased to be able to extend eligibility for the benefit program to 
partners of gay and lesbian employees and encourage those employees 
eligible to take advantage of it.