June 17, 2009
By Winnie Stachelberg
Today’s announcement is an important step forward for LGBT federal employees and their families. The presidential memorandum signed today gives domestic partners some of the benefits granted to spouses of federal employees. This memorandum shows the president’s desire to provide equality for federal employees, but it is only a first step.
The president and others in the executive branch should work together with Congress to finish the job by passing measures such as the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act and repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which would truly ensure equal benefits and rights for federal employees.
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