US President Barack Obama has extended a wider range of benefits to the same-sex partners of eligible federal workers. They include access to medical treatment, relocation assistance, credit unions and fitness centres. From next month, partners will also become eligible for insurance. The Washington Post says the move goes beyond a memo Obama signed last June, which allowed same-sex partners to use the government's long-term-care insurance and other fringe benefits. "For far too long, many of our government's hard-working, dedicated LGBT employees have been denied equal access to the basic rights and benefits their colleagues enjoy," Obama said. "This kind of systematic inequality undermines the health, well-being, and security not just of our federal workforce, but also of their families and communities.” The benefits do not cover uniformed members of the military. If the ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy is repealed, the Pentagon is expected to then take steps to address the treatment of gay and lesbian service members. The Washington Post says though Obama has extended a greater number of benefits to gay federal workers than any of his predecessors, he is prevented by federal law from providing full benefits to same-sex partners. He has therefore reiterated support for House and Senate legislation that would grant all federal benefits to same-sex partners. The Human Rights Campaign, an American gay rights lobby group, has applauded Obama's move. "All employees should be treated equally and without discrimination, whether they are straight or LGBT and this is certainly a positive step in that direction," says HRC president Joe Solmonese. "The limitations of these new benefits however serve as a glaring reminder that the Defense of Marriage Act ultimately stands in the way of providing true equality to LGBT Americans."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 5th June 2010 - 1:52pm