Obama Grants Benefits To Same-Sex Domestic Partners

Posted by Staff on June 17, 2009 |

By Justin Duckham and Learned Foote-Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama took what he described as “a historic step” Wednesday evening as he signed an executive order granting limited federal benefits to same-sex domestic partners.

The executive order will give the U.S. Office of Personnel Management the authority to issue directives stating that any discrimination not based on work related factors is illegal. This would include sexual orientation and gender expression.

The President conceded that there was still much work to be done to achieve full legal equality for gays in the U.S., but noted that he planned on working with Congress to take future legislative action, including the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which bans gays from serving in the military, was not mentioned. During the 2008 election, Obama pledged that once President, it would be repealed.

 
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June 17, 2009
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