opportunity to speak before you today on item no. 36789 my name is larry griffin the vice president offpt local 21 and we would like to thank supervisor farrell for bringing this forward and supervisors campos, chiu and avalos. by compensating affected employees to offset their tax, we're sending a message that san francisco is committed to equal pay for equal work. we know the day is coming when all couples and families will be treated the same. meanwhile we're pleased to see you taking this step forward. local 21 respectfully ask that the committee vote yes. thank you. >> thank you very much. next speaker, please. >> supervisors, good morning. my name is martha knudsen the co-chair of the lgbt democratic chair and joined by my profess co-chair and fell board member neilson. i want to thank supervisor farrell for authoring this legislation and voice support of the legislation on behalf of the entire board of the alice b. tokelis lgbt club. this is an important legislation until the federal government recognizes same-sex couples and marriage equality. on a personal note as a city employee whose