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Jun

17

President Obama does something for gay people. Kind of.

From the New York Times:

President Obama will sign a presidential memorandum on Wednesday to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, administration officials said Tuesday evening, but he will stop short of pledging full health insurance coverage.

Mr. Obama, in an Oval Office announcement, is expected to offer details about which benefits will be provided. It is the most significant statement he has made on gay issues, and it comes as he faces intense criticism from several gay rights leaders over what they suggest has been a failure to live up to campaign promises in the first months of his presidency.

So the president is going to extend benefits — except health insurance, the one that really matters — to gay couples who work in the federal government. That’s … nice. But given the administration’s vigorous defense of the Defense of Marriage Act and its enforcement of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, gays and their allies who expected a little more from this administration still have a lot to be disappointed about.
 
Joel Mathis | 10:42 AM | 2 Comments
Uncategorized, barack obama, defense of marriage act, don't ask don't tel
 
  1. Jo Says: Jun 17 11:15 AM

    Words with very few deeds. I’m sensing a trend here.

  2. Kim Callahan Says: Jun 17 12:18 PM

    No kidding. Does he think that after years and years of open hostility and marginalization from previous administrations that gays are going to be grateful for mere toleration and a tiny crumb of recognition now and then? He can and should do so much better. This is THE civil rights issue of his time, and he’s coming up woefully short.

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