The eligibility of same-sex partners or spouses for health insurance and other workplace benefits is a major source of concern for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) scientists who work in US states where their relationships are not recognized. The issue emerged at a gathering of 30 GLBT cell biologists at the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 14 December. The participants advised GLBT applicants to seek jobs at private universities not bound by state laws, or negotiate higher salaries to cover partners' insurance costs. Applicants should disclose their marital or partnered status during negotiations, they agreed.