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Statement from Winnie Stachelberg applauds the Obama administration's first steps on domestic partner benefits and offers suggestions on ways forward.
Advancing Racial Equity and Justice, LGBTQI+ Rights, Nondiscrimination Protections
Associate Director, Media Relations
[email protected]
Vice President, Communications
Senior Director, Federal Affairs
Senior Manager, State and Local Government Affairs
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.
Read about how the federal government can use states as a model for offering domestic partner benefits:
View video and resources from an event on domestic partner benefits:
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Former Executive Vice President, External Affairs
@wstachelberg