Equal at last? (reader forum).

It will be interesting to see how the Tauzin congressional committee deals with the Michael Kopper-William Dodson situation when the committee proposes changes in the law to address the problems at Enron [Money, March 19]. The right thing, of course, would be to change the law to ensure that SEC regulations and accounting disclosure conflict-of-interest rules apply to same-sex couples just as they apply currently to heterosexual married couples.

However, to do so would open up a Pandora's box that the members of Congress would probably not want to go near. It would be hypocritical of Congress to pass a law requiring SEC regulations to apply to same-sex couples and yet not allow recognition of same-sex couples for things like Social Security benefits and next-of-kin death benefits.

There is also a lesson here for gays and lesbians working for corporate recognition of same-sex relationships. We must go beyond only domestic-partner benefits. In particular, we should ensure that a company's code of ethics regarding spousal relationships (e.g., supervisory relationships, conflicts of interest, etc.) applies to same-sex couples as it does to married heterosexual couples.

It would be ironic if the manipulations of Kopper and Dodson resulted in the government's first legal recognition of same-sex relationships.

Ted Korbos, Berwyn, Ill.