White House Says Obama Taking “Bold Action” on Benefits for Same Sex Partners
EmailABC News' Yunji de Nies reports:
Later this afternoon President Obama will sign a memo in the Oval Office, extending benefits for partners of gay and lesbian federal employees. This may seem like a victory for the LGBT community, but many gay and lesbians are upset about what is not included: health care, retirement and survivor benefits. The actual benefits are widely viewed as small potatoes, and include things like relocation benefits, and evacuation and housing benefits while abroad for State Department employees. The White House says the president cannot extend health care and other benefits because of legal challenges under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which the president has said he wants to repeal. "Many gay and lesbian activist feel this falls far short of the promises President Obama made to the gay community on the campaign trail," said the Advocate's Kerry Eleveld. "Many are already saying if the president wanted to do something really bold he would spearhead an initiative to repeal DOMA." White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the president is committed to changing both DOMA and the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, but that Congress, not the White House, must take the lead. In a conference call with reporters, the president's highest ranking openly gay appointee, Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry defended Mr. Obama's actions as "a first step, not a final step. This is an attempt to get our federal house in order." But some federal workers say that what the White House is calling new benefits, such as use of sick leave to care for a domestic partners, is already available to federal employees. Berry said that while that may be true in some instances, granting those benefits has "been subject to the whim of a supervisor, if you have an enlightened supervisor, yes that is a possibility." Berry continued, "What the president is doing today is making this no longer, optional, he is making it mandatory." Many gay activists also question the timing of the president's action, which comes as the administration is under increasing criticism for the lack of movement on changing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and a recent Department of Justice memo, which in defending DOMA, compared gay marriage to incest. Asked about the controversial comparison, Gibbs said, "Well, again, it's the president's Justice Department. And, again, we have the role of upholding the law of the land while the president has stated and will work with Congress to change that law."
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This Bold Action, thank goodness, is no surprise. He knows that the majority of the public would roast him if he put their money on the line to pay gay and lesbian partners health care, retirement, and survivor benefits. He is very good at trying to play to all parties while still giving his base something to stand on to try and defend him.
Posted by: Jason | June 17, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
“…if the president wanted to do something really bold he would spearhead an initiative to repeal DOMA.”
And hopefully by next year his plate will be clear enough to fit that. Every American citizen is impacted by the economic crash, the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and health care. Obama certainly should reign in his DOJ and get them pointed in the right direction, but to think now is the time to shut down Congress with a partisan DOMA fight is misguided.
So when is the time? I’d say right after the 2010 elections is the window to do it. Democrats should have a bit better grasp of the Senate too. Meanwhile, keep hammering at the state level. The battles are starting to be won.
Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
This might seem “bold” if this was 1991. It might even seem bold if he were a Republican elected by fundies. But it’s not 1991, he was elected by liberals and he’s not bold. He’s smarmy and cynical.
Posted by: paul | June 17, 2009, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
This president is an embarrassment to this nation. I for one cannot wait until 2012. My tax dollars are being spent for every frivolous item on the democrats agenda, as I suspected in November. Now this? Pathetic!
Posted by: PNA9876 | June 17, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
OMG! You have to start somewhere. After the 2010 elections when more from the Democrat party have been elected the “change” we are looking for will be easier to attain!
Posted by: john copeland | June 17, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Another piece of immorality.May as well,this country is to far gone to salvage!
Posted by: keithbell | June 17, 2009, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
jhw539: “So when is the time? I’d say right after the 2010 elections is the window to do it. Democrats should have a bit better grasp of the Senate too. Meanwhile, keep hammering at the state level. The battles are starting to be won.”
You and I disagree on quite a few things, but I agree that something will happen right after the 2010 elections. I think we disagree on your presumption that Democrats will gain seats. I do agree that if you want to accomplish something you should do it at the state legislative level. If gay marriage is ever going to gain acceptance, it will have to be state by state until a majority approve. I am afraid that it might be inevitable, but I hope that conservatives can hold back the tide of attacks on marriage between a man and a woman as long as possible.
Posted by: Jason | June 17, 2009, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
From a Palm Springs, California blog comment:
Gay and lesbian people pay taxes and there is no discount for being gay or lesbian, so the benefits from the government should be the same. I am torn between thinking that Obama really does want to end the inequality for gay and lesbian people, to him just not wanting to not upset the fundraising machine his people put in place with the gay and lesbian community. Let’s not forget that David Geffen was one of his initial and most generous supporters for his campaign to become President. And executive order can end the prosecution of gay and lesbian military members, this Obama can do. So, it is up to Obama. He can follow in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman, or he can smokescreen his way through socially progressive issues and do nothing.
Posted by: Cassandra Washington | June 17, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
I am so tired of people talking about “their money” being spent on “frivolous” things like benefits for LGBT spouses. How about this one: I am BEYOND tired of paying more for my healthcare, getting discriminated against on a daily basis, paying MORE in taxes and generally being denied literally over a THOUSAND different rights and benefits because of the gender of my spouse.
The United States is not a theocracy, and religion should have nothing to do with the rights of citizenship in this country. The smae people who are screaming about the threat of Iran and its theocratic society are the same ones who would like to create one in this country.
If I were in a heterosexual realtionship, I could use my partner’s healthcare coverage as well as my own to cover any gaps in coverage. I could bear or adopt as many children as I wanted to, and my health insurance would cover them all; get divorced, have or adopt more kids and/or step kids, and share my benefits with them as well; and on, and on, and on. Don’t talk to me about how YOUR money is being spent. A larger proportion of MY money is being spent on things that I do not support, while I am continually denied access to those same benefits for myself and my spouse. How about removing the benefits that any married couples receive for taxes, benefits, etc., then see how everyone feels about the importance and relevance of those things in the discussion?
Posted by: RWP | June 17, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
the holier than thou, less government, except when we want to get into your bedroom, war mongering Republicans speak…..
Republican Ensign, hypocrite caught with pants down……
how long will it take for people to realize that the
‘morals’, evangelical, posers are completes frauds …..
Posted by: JT | June 17, 2009, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
I hope that conservatives can hold back the tide of attacks on marriage between a man and a woman as long as possible.
Posted by: Jason
I hope that conservatives can hold back the tide:
civil rights
equal rights for women
inter racial marriage
you would have done well pre 1964
Posted by: Yo | June 17, 2009, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
I LIVE WITH MY DOG – DOES THAT MEAN THAT I CAN ALSO GET FED SPONSORED HEALTH INS FOR HER? WHOEVER SAID “JAN 15TH – THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS”, WASN’T KIDDING. I SURELY HOPE THAT THIS ONCE GREAT NATION CAN RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER.
Posted by: Jimbo | June 17, 2009, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
I hope the benefits to gay “partners” will also extend to unmarried heterosexual “partners” also. Why should heterosexual partners have to be married when the gays aren’t?
Posted by: Louis | June 17, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
LOUIS – BECAUSE OBAMA OWES BIG TIME TO GAYS FOR HIS VICTORY – ISN’T THAT OBVIOUS??
Posted by: Jimbo | June 17, 2009, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
“I hope the benefits to gay “partners” will also extend to unmarried heterosexual “partners” also. Why should heterosexual partners have to be married when the gays aren’t?”
I know a heterosexual couple that got a civil union to be able to share benefits before they officially got married a few years later.
Your issue is solved quite easily by allowing gays to marry.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
“WHOEVER SAID “JAN 15TH – THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS”, WASN’T KIDDING”
Bush’s last 5 days in office is when the nightmare began?
Hate to break it to you but that nightmare had begun long before Jan 15th.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm
Obama= Just words…and usually lifted from someone else.
Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
No health care benefits, no survivor benefits, no retirement benefits. Wow. Pretty insulting.
Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OBAMA HAS INCREASED OUR NATIONAL DEBT BY SEVEN PERCENT!! YOU DON’T CALL THAT A NIGHTMARE?? BUSH DIDN’T COME CLOSE TO THAT IN EIGHT YEARS. WORSE PART OF IS, IT IS FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THE THE STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT HAS ZERO CHANCE OF WORKING AS WE ARE FINDING OUT AS WE SPEAK!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 17, 2009, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
Ryan C…in my subculture, I don’t believe in marriage…I do believe in multiple partnerships and loving as many as would love me back. Why should I be denied my and my partners’ civil rights to claim all the benefits available to traditional and gay relationships.
Obama is denying me my civil rights when I am excluded as a heterosexual polyamorist. I love many women and many love me. My relationships are consensual and committed. I was born to love many a women.
Somebody help me fight for my civil rights!
Posted by: Louis | June 17, 2009, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
“Ryan C…in my subculture, I don’t believe in marriage…I do believe in multiple partnerships and loving as many as would love me back. Why should I be denied my and my partners’ civil rights to claim all the benefits available to traditional and gay relationships.”
Ahhh yes the insincere Rick Santorum rehash.
And since you situation is much like Joe The Plumber’s in that it is made up from whole cloth, you do not have to worry about potential discrimination.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
“IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OBAMA HAS INCREASED OUR NATIONAL DEBT BY SEVEN PERCENT!! YOU DON’T CALL THAT A NIGHTMARE?? BUSH DIDN’T COME CLOSE TO THAT IN EIGHT YEARS”
“When Bush took office, the national debt was $5.73 trillion. When he left, it was $10.7 trillion”
Those facts are stubborn things.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
hhh yes the insincere Rick Santorum rehash
Posted by: Ryan C
Ryan, I love ya, but I’m afraid I’m going to issue you a fine, for even mentioning that fetid slug
( as they said on the Sopranos ) Sanatorium
the lowest of the low, an unclean stench on our political discourse
Posted by: Oh Yeah | June 17, 2009, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
This president IS an embarrassment to every person in this country who is not a far left wing liberal and even some of those kool-aid drinkers are having second thoughts. He promised not to be a president for the “red states or blue states, but a president for the United States.” Hogwash!! This man has morphed into a thin-skinned, vindictive, petty,
arrogant piece of work right before our eyes. He has boycotted THE ONLY television network who challenges him and never misses a chance to “call out” right wing private ‘CITIZENS’who don’t fall on their knees when he appears. He has tried to demonize Hannity, Rush and all the staff of Fox News in an effort to silence them. Nice try but we will NOT be silenced and Mr. Obama will continue to be exposed.
Posted by: Sunnyr | June 18, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm