Obama extends gay health benefits
By Stephen Collinson
WASHINGTON (AFP) — President Barack Obama Wednesday extended some federal health benefits to same-sex partners of US government workers, in what he said was a historic step towards equality for gays and lesbians.
“Many of our government’s hardworking and dedicated patriotic public servants have long been denied basic rights … for one simple reason, the people that they love are of the same sex,” Obama said.
Obama signed a presidential memorandum ushering in the changes, in the wake of rising criticism from some lesbian and gay rights groups about what they see as sluggish progress towards implementing campaign promises.
Under the new measures, domestic partners of federal workers will get benefits including long-term care insurance. Government workers will also be able to use sick days to care for their partners if they become ill.
The move will also cover members of the foreign service, allowing partners of diplomats to use medical facilities at US posts abroad, to benefit from medical evacuations and to be included in housing allocations.
But Obama’s memorandum does not include comprehensive health and life insurance. Obama promised to back legislation in Congress allowing those full benefits to be provided.
Despite his action on Wednesday, the president has yet to follow through on a White House promise to end the ban on gays serving openly in the US military — a hugely controversial issue.
US President Barack Obama
Gay groups also recently slammed the Obama Justice Department for backing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies federal benefits to same-sex married couples.
“The president has just as strong a duty to put his principles into action, and end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people and our families,” Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said in a statement last week.
But Obama said as he signed the memorandum that he was committing to overturning the act.
“Today marks a historic step towards the changes we seek, but I think we all have to acknowledge it is only one step.
“Among the steps we have not yet taken is to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
“I believe it is discriminatory, it interferes with states rights and we will work with Congress to overturn it.”
Obama has said he believes marriage is a sacred union between a man and woman, though supports same-sex civil unions, and describes himself as a “fierce advocate” of gay and lesbian rights.
Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, said Obama’s memorandum was a “building block toward full equality.”
“Much more remains to be done in order for the administration to live up to the promises of equality the president made as a candidate on the campaign trail,” Carey said.
“These promises include working toward passage of inclusive hate crime and employment nondiscrimination legislation, and repeal of the discriminatory military ban and the so-called ?Defense of Marriage Act.”
In a statement in June marking national lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender month, Obama said he would support the “full spectrum” of equal rights for the community.
This included workplace and adoption rights, and committing to fight HIV/AIDS.
“LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society,” Obama said.
Sphere: Related Content
Are BioIdentical Hormones Safe?
In my opinion, Bioidentical Hormones are safer and more effective than their synthetic hormone counterparts, ...
KUDOS!! :)) 
I wish i could be there too
.-= Miss sudha´s last blog ..ONLINE SHOP =-. 
