Diaz

The State of Arizona appeals the district court’s order granting a preliminary injunction to prevent a state law from taking effect that would have terminated eligibility for health-care benefits of state employees’ same-sex partners. In a published opinion, the district court found that the plaintiffs demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, because they showed that the law adversely affected a classification of employees on the basis of sexual orientation, and did not further any of the state’s claimed justifiable interests. Collins v. Brewer, 727 F.Supp.2d 797 (D.Ariz.2010). The court also found that the plaintiffs had established a likelihood of irreparable harm in the event coverage for partners ceased. The district court’s findings and conclusions are supported by the record and we affirm.

BACKGROUND

In April of 2008, the State of Arizona administratively adopted amendments to Section 101 of Chapter 5 of Title 2 of the Arizona Administrative Code to offer access to healthcare benefits for qualified opposite-sex and same-sex domestic partners of state employees. Prior to 2008, when state employees chose to participate in the State’s health insurance…