Research and Policy Division American Association for Single People
There are 80 million unmarried adults in the United States, making single people one of the largest groups in the nation. Unmarried people already constitute a majority of the adult population in most major cities and soon will be a majority in many states. Despite their large and growing numbers, unmarried adults often face unjust discrimination as employees, tenants, consumers, and as ordinary citizens. Single people -- whether they live alone, with a partner or roommate, or with relatives -- deserve respect, dignity, and fair treatment. AASP uses educational methods to dispel myths and stereotypes about single people. We work to end the stigmatization of unmarried couples and their children. We also promote fair treatment of single people and their families by government agencies and private businesses. And when it is necessary, we file legal briefs in court cases involving marital status discrimination. In order to be successful, the work of AASP must be based on accurate information, whether the issue at hand involves economic facts, demographics, public opinion, or legal precedents. This essential function is provided by Spectrum Institute, the research and policy division of the American Association for Single People. Spectrum Institute has been conducting such research and providing advice to public officials, corporate leaders, educators, attorneys, unions, and others since 1987. In 1999, the corporation formerly known as Spectrum Institute renamed itself as the American Association for Single People and began to recruit members. Spectrum Institute is now a division of this nonprofit tax-exempt corporation. During the past 12 years, Spectrum Institute has issued a variety of publications, including policy reports, position papers, and legal briefs. Some were the product of independent research. Others were done in collaboration with government officials or agencies. This section of our web site contains a list of publications available from Spectrum Institute. It also contains excerpts from some of the letters we received over the years from those who benefited from our research and educational services. Spectrum Institute is proud to continue its important work as the research and policy division of the American Association for Single People. A think tank of this nature is an essential component of the multi-faceted approach that AASP uses to protect the rights of unmarried adults. Tax-deductible donations to support the work
of Spectrum Institute should be made payable to AASP.
To order a publication, we request a donation to cover our copying and binding costs, as well as the cost of shipping and handling. The amount of the suggested donation is listed for each publication. The additional shipping and handling cost (4th class book rate) varies depending on the length of the document (e.g., $2.00 for 50-100 pages, $3.00 for 101-200 pages, $4.00 for 201-300 pages, and $5.00 for 301 + pages). Please call us for the cost of arranging for a more expedited form of delivery. Checks or money orders should be made payable and sent to the address listed below.American Association for Single People P.O. Box 65756, Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 258-8955 / fax (323) 258-8099 Publications Available From Spectrum Institute Domestic Partnership Legislation in California: A Tradition of Gender-Neutral Bills, Proposals, and Laws, to Protect a Wide Range of Unmarried Adults Special report showing the history of domestic partnership measures in California and questioning why Governor Gray Davis would want to limit domestic partnership legislation to same-sex couples, thereby excluding seniors and other opposite-sex partners. (July 1999; 74 pp; $10.00)
Cleaves v. City of Chicago: A Federal Lawsuit Challenging the Dismissal of a Police Officer Who Took a Day of Leave When the Father of His Female Domestic Partner Was Dying Brief filed by Spectrum Institute arguing that the exclusion of opposite-sex couples from the city=s domestic partner benefits program is illegal sex discrimination under Title VII and the Equal Pay Act (November 1998; 41 pp; $10.00)
Positions of California Candidates in the General Election on Family Diversity, Domestic Partnership, and Marital Status Discrimination: A Survey by Spectrum Institute Summary of Findings (October 1998; 65 pp; $10.00) Tabulations of Data (October 1998; 138 pp. $20.00)
Informational Briefing for California Candidates in the General Election on Family Diversity, Domestic Partnership, and Marital Status Discrimination Demographics, Public Opinion, Legal Precedents and More (September 1998; 147 pp.; $25.00)
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Rights of Single People A Proposal for the ACLU to Make the Issue of Marital Status Discrimination a Priority (September 1998; 89 pp; $12.00)
National Organization for Women and Domestic Partnership Rights A Proposal for Now to Promote Gender-Neutral Domestic Partner Laws and Benefits Programs and to Oppose Sexist Domestic Partner Restrictions (September 1998; 72 pages; $10.00)
Biaz v. Hoffius: An Appeal Challenging the Denial of Housing to an Unmarried Opposite-Sex Couple by a Religious Landlord Brief filed by Spectrum Institute and others in the Michigan Supreme Court (June 1998; 53 pages; $10.00)
Foray v. Bell Atlantic: A Lawsuit to End Sex Discrimination in Compensation and to Provide Gender-Neutral Benefits to Domestic Partners Brief in opposition to motion to dismiss (August 1998; 50 pp; $10.00) Press Packet (May 1998; 50 pages; $10.00)
Philadelphia City Council: Testimony and Background Materials on Religious Support for Inclusive Definitions of AFamily@ and ADomestic Partnership@ (April 1998; 56 pages; $10.00)
California Seniors Support Domestic Partner Benefits for All Couples Regardless of Gender Proposed Bills, Support Letters, Policy Studies: 1994 to 1998 (March 1998; 98 pp; $13.00)
University of California Regents: Extending Employee Benefits to Domestic Partners Resource Materials (Nov.1997; 43 pp; $10.00)
Tumeo v. University of Alaska: A Lawsuit Challenging the Denial of Benefits to Domestic Partners of State Employees Brief filed by Spectrum Institute arguing that giving benefits to spouses but denying them to domestic partners of employees is illegal marital status discrimination (October 1995; 35 pp; $5.00)
The Hawaii Legislature Has Compelling Reasons to Adopt a Comprehensive Domestic Partnership Act Law review article by Thomas F. Coleman, Executive Director of AASP, and published by Tulane University School of Law, Volume 5, Law and Sexuality. (1995; 40 pp; $10.00)
A Call to End Unfair Insurance Discrimination Against Unmarried Consumers Report of the Anti-Discrimination Task Force of the California Insurance Commissioner (July 1993; 87 pp; $10.00) Supplement and Background Materials (186 pp; $25.00)
Strengthening Family Relationships in Long Beach: An Assessment of Family Diversity in Community Life Report of the Long Beach Human Relations Commission (February 1991; 106 pp; $15.00)
Unmarried Adults: A New Majority Seeks Consumer Protection Report of the Los Angeles City Attorney=s Consumer Task Force on Marital Status Discrimination (March 1990; 126 pp; $15.00) Background Materials (331 pp; $30.00)
Planning a Family Policy for California Report of the California Legislature=s Joint Select Task Force on the Changing Family (June 1989; 147 pp; $15.00) Team Report on California Couples (October 1988; 44 pp; $6.00) Supplement to Couples Report: Background Materials (330 pp; $25.00)
L.A. City Task Force on Family Diversity Final Report (May 1988; 120 pp; $15.00) Public Hearings Transcript (329 pp; $25.00) Reports of Research Teams (570 pp; $50.00) Student Research Papers (353 pp; $25.00)
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