Gays to get more rights, at least the federal ones
And gay will enter the headlines, the newsrooms and the White House, yet again, today when President Obama signs a presidential memorandum that granting benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
Expect to see crowds of gays lining up for government jobs after this. (What about all the rest not employed by federal means?)
Interesting that this move is coming after intense criticism from several gay rights leaders recently, according to The New York Times, who were upset over the fact that Obama hasn’t moved much on the gay front, as his campaign promises, well, promised.
(When are people going to realize that campaign promises mean little but securing the seat in an election?)
Indeed, this is one of the touchiest subjects in politics, whether the government should provide benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. Obama will announce a list of these benefits, officials said, but don’t expect that list to include broad health insurance coverage, which would mean legislation to change.
And how do the gays feel about this? Interestingly (or not, depending on which side of the fence you choose to sit), it’s a mixed bag.
“Extending benefits to partners of gay federal employees is terrific, but at this point he is under enormous pressure from the gay civil rights community for having promised the moon and done nothing so far,” Richard Socarides, an adviser to the Clinton administration on gay issues, said yesterday. “So more important now is what he says tomorrow about the future for gay people during his presidency.”
We all remember, surely, how Obama pledged to “fight hard” for the rights of gay couples back in his campaign days…so, so long ago.
Guess you’ll just have to make sure to watch the news tonight to find out what happens next. I know I’m on the edge of my seat with this one….
Brittany @ June 17, 2009