June 17, 2009
Posted: June 17th, 2009 06:47 PM ET


WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama signed an executive order granting some benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees Wednesday, calling it "a historic step" but promising more action to come.

"We've got more work to do to ensure that government treats all its citizens equally, to fight injustice and intolerance in all its forms and to bring about that more perfect union," Obama said.

The signing followed sharp criticism of the president over a Justice Department motion filed last week in support of the Defense of Marriage Act - which effectively bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions.

Obama said he still wants to repeal the act.

"I believe it's discriminatory. I think it interferes with state's rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it," he said.

The memorandum he signed Wednesday means same-sex partners of civil service employees can be added to the long-term care program, employees can use their sick leave to take care of domestic partners and children and same-sex partners of Foreign Service employees will be included in medical evacuations and housing allocations, according to the White House.

But it does not cover full health-care coverage, which would require an act of Congress, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Full story

Filed under: Obama administration • President Obama • Same-sex marriage


gmoney   June 18th, 2009 1:46 am ET

God help us. Please......

Vic in VA   June 18th, 2009 12:30 am ET

Hope this policy applies to heterosexual unmarried couples as well, with or without children, if this is about equal rights and not political pandering to a particular constituency. And in case you're wondering, I'm an Obama supporter. And an independent,

vence   June 17th, 2009 11:42 pm ET

Mr obama is late in giving this long denied rights. It's too lite too late for this sector of population that make him win the presidency. let's see if delays the immigration reform in the same way. At this point I'm not sure of the change Sleepy Obama promised from Incompetent Bush.

sam   June 17th, 2009 11:29 pm ET

There are more pressing issues than this. Everyone wants something. The prez have a lot on his plate and you want something and they want something. Come on guys. Now, just look and see, the gop is going to take this and run with this just for political gain.

Le Roi   June 17th, 2009 11:25 pm ET

As a black man, I believe all men and women deserve same rights to marry each other. Obama does not need to fear the biggots who would not vote for him anyways. He is now president. We are waiting for you Obama to do what's right. Remember you would not exist if those biggots had it their way, for they use the same excuses for interracial marriages.

Larry S   June 17th, 2009 11:22 pm ET

i am so tired of seeing this black man signing documents that are not in the best interest of the USA. What a shame in the direction he is dragging down America. There was a lot of comments about the intelligence of Bush . . . well America . . . what a surprise the current BO has extensive ignorance. If someone does not agree, please provide some prove of any intelligence. The key word here is "PROOF".

The Bu   June 17th, 2009 10:53 pm ET

Why is the GLBT group THE ONLY people raising hell because the President has not done what THEY have wanted him to do? It has been six months folks. We have three and a half more years (hopefully seven and a half) of his presidency. As an African-American, I'm sure there are some things that people in the African-American community want to happen, but we're allowing the President to prioritize. I think it's a bit premature to begin to dump on the President when he has so much other stuff going on (Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, the economy, healthcare, overhauling the financial industry, etc.). All I am asking of the GLBT community is to give him an opportunity and let him do his job. There is a long line of people who need stuff and it's not going to hurt any of us to be patient.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs: “It’s the president’s Justice Department.” « The Confluence   June 17th, 2009 10:42 pm ET

[...] President Obama himself made a statement about DOMA tonight at the official signing of a presidential memorandum to grant limited benefits the the [...]

TCM   June 17th, 2009 10:38 pm ET

Obama – immoral, unAmerican, socialist....pandering to the deviant groups in American to secure future votes.....well, Obama, if you don't start taking care of the country in a free market manner, and stop trying to fund a nanny-state, you won't have a country in 2012! We're doomed at the current rate of reckless spending that's amassing from this incompetent administration.

E. Hays   June 17th, 2009 10:12 pm ET

This is not right, and goes against everything decent we used to have in this country. We are letting the gay rights people dictate to us, and the time will come very soon when we say ENOUGH! I resent very much my tax dollars being spent for benefits for the gays. I could go into the religious aspect of it, but I won't go there.

Robert   June 17th, 2009 10:11 pm ET

Obama's made mentions of same sex couples. Now Obama does a legislative deep for the contingency. Marriage is definately a word in the dictionary.

Change does not come overnight.   June 17th, 2009 10:07 pm ET

Well done, Mr. President. While it is only the beginning of your actions for gay rights in the short time you've been in office, I am confident that there will be more to come.

WE ALL HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND LET THE MAN DO HIS JOB.

m smith   June 17th, 2009 10:02 pm ET

Every time I would like to comment on an article it is already closed. amazing!!

Anonymous   June 17th, 2009 9:59 pm ET

It's time for Congress to get off their collective duffs and get this legislation started and passed. There is no excuse for their inaction. The Defense of Marriage Act and Don't Ask Don't Tell need to be repealed and the government should legalize and recognize same-sex marriage AND/OR domestic partnerships.

Hussen   June 17th, 2009 9:55 pm ET

Someone will again go out and seek new beginning with muslim world! Whoever is against Islam is in the war with muslim.

Lauren   June 17th, 2009 9:52 pm ET

Why do same sex couples think the election was all about them and their needs. They seem to forget there are other people in this country other than them.

Whatz up   June 17th, 2009 9:41 pm ET

Folks need to cool out. Little steps are better than NO steps at all.

Everyone wants instant gratification, without understanding the hurdles involve in changing decades of "red tape". President Obama is taking baby steps and that is better than what previous Presidents have done.

Let's all relax and let the man do his job and stop with all the whining and complaining.

Jesus, what a bunch of cry babies.

Charles   June 17th, 2009 9:40 pm ET

I wonder how many homosexual voters would prefer a pro-gay neocon (Dick Cheney) to a big talker on gay rights who delivers almost no results (Barack Obama).........interesting to think about, impossible as it may be.

Brett   June 17th, 2009 9:37 pm ET

it is already benfits for every gay worker in government, why does he need to sign AGAIN?

ohhh.. D loves to confused people.

nota dem   June 17th, 2009 9:23 pm ET

Thanks Obama give away my tax dollars to gays who only support the destruction of the USA, Obama youy are a communist and muslim that is taking the role of the anti-christ, revelations 1, only thing that is missing is your white horse.

Stevik   June 17th, 2009 9:16 pm ET

This announcement is an insult to the gay community, which voted overwhelmingly for Obama! These are crumbs being thrown to a vital constituency. We're not idiot, Mr. President!

Obama sees gays as sub-human.....   June 17th, 2009 9:16 pm ET

Obama says gays can't marry since marriage is only between a man and a woman....

Obama says no health or retirement benefits for partners of gays....

Obama says keep the "don't ask don't tell" rule and kick gays out of the military that do tell....

Obama obviously sees gays as less than human with no rights...
what a guy...I pity the gays who voted for him....

peggy   June 17th, 2009 9:00 pm ET

speaking of healthcare problem if this country would get rid of the millions of illegals out of our country there would not be a health care problem

SnowBird   June 17th, 2009 8:50 pm ET

Could I have coverage for my eight wives?

wishing   June 17th, 2009 8:49 pm ET

For those who feel this is too little too late... Too late? You would prefer that he not do it because it is too late to do it. ?? Think.

Truth B Told   June 17th, 2009 8:39 pm ET

I guess you will be able to marry your dog next and get health insurance on him.

Ridgeway   June 17th, 2009 8:37 pm ET

Oh well. Most of health care expense goes to addictions, drugs, alcohol, smoking, food, sex, gay sex, more gay sex....

Jared   June 17th, 2009 8:31 pm ET

It wasn't an executive order.

Gays got nothing, zero, zip.....   June 17th, 2009 8:24 pm ET

Obama showed his true animosity towards gays today by not giving health care or retirement benefits to gays and their partners.....

Further, he did not get rid of the "don't ask don't tell provision" and...

Obama only recognizes marriage as between a man and a woman....

Glad you voted for him???? He's a fraud. Gays would have gotten more from Dick Cheney who is much more liberal on the issue.

FORMER REPUBLICAN   June 17th, 2009 8:22 pm ET

For those that are having a problem with what president Obama
is doing for the Gays, economy, health care, & all concerns of
the American people, we can always dig up another Bush, if you
please. What the hell is the matter with you people?
After 50 years of neglect in every sector of the "American Dream",
President Obama is expected to fix it all as if it were a package of
instant pudding. Get a grip on reality, roll up your sleeves & help.

Demarcus Jackson from Columbia, TN   June 17th, 2009 8:22 pm ET

As a proud and open Gay American and firm supporter of President Obama, I applaud this decision. Gay leaders who are sour about this issue DO NOT speak for me. I, like most commonsense Americans, understand how challenging change is and how much time change takes. It is not going to happen overnight. Give Obama time to get these cultural/social issues together and stop barking down his throat. The man has been in office for less than a year and we want him to move mountains and rivers! Give me a break.

Dan, TX   June 17th, 2009 8:18 pm ET

Both the far left and far right want their way right now, and if you disagree with them, you should be shot.

When will the people of common sense (the middle that are neither liberal nor conservative (I mean wacko conservative, not real conservatives). I am a real conservative – not a republican – I am an atheist, pro-choice, and I am quite comfortable calling myself a conservative).

I voted for Obama – no other reasonable candidate.

I am disappointed we haven't seen the Health care debate on CSPAN with the different interest groups explaining what they want. That is transparency, but we haven't seen it. Does CSPAN not want to do it?

Jay   June 17th, 2009 8:08 pm ET

I wonder how the intolerant Arian Republicans are going to react to this. Their blood must be boiling right now.

catmom   June 17th, 2009 8:06 pm ET

Hey, it won't please a lot of people but at least it is a start.

Lori asks GOP why 40% of Americans r ideologically conservative yet only 21% of Americans are Republican? People must really hate the GOP!   June 17th, 2009 8:05 pm ET

To any gay and lesbian who wants President Obama to move super fast on this... I say, just vote Republican next time. As Meghan McCain believes the Republican party is sooo much better with homosexual rights (LOL). Cheney was in power for 8 years yet did nothing to help the gay and lesbian community but is speaking out NOW when he can't do a darn thing about it. Let Obama do his job. As President, he's the gay and lesbian communities strongest ally ever.

LacrosseMom   June 17th, 2009 7:58 pm ET

Good. About time.

Loup Garou 782   June 17th, 2009 7:55 pm ET

Is it possible that barkey obama is planing to become a same sex couple in the future and is setting up some protection.This guy is lower than Whale crap.

Joanna in PA   June 17th, 2009 7:55 pm ET

Everyone relax! Obama has not been in office 6 months yet. There is a lot to be done. Gay rights is very important, he knows it. Gibbs already said before that he was working on the gays in the military about a months or so ago. Sure, he can sign an executive order to reverse don't ask don't tell, be that could be easily over turned. Please understand that he will fix that horrible law.

And NO people being gay really isn't a choice. That is a fact whether you accept or not. Just like you can not choose what color you are born or what sex you are born. Do your homework. The bible BTW, will reflect anything you want it too if you twist it hard enough.

I can see why religious originations want marriage only for a man and women. I get it. But a man and a women who get married through the courts or government shouldn't be allowed to be "married" either than.

stormerF   June 17th, 2009 7:47 pm ET

Does this mean they have to prove they are Married?If they are not then NO go.Otherwise all the girl friends and or would get the same consideration.

Jasmine in Germany   June 17th, 2009 7:47 pm ET

It's a step in the right direction. Sexual discrimination is discrimination.

Lori   June 17th, 2009 7:46 pm ET

This is a step above what any Republican has or would ever do. Just because one poll says that Republican have become more open to gays and lesbians serving openly in the military doesn't mean they are for gay rights. it just means that they know we need more members in our military and the law is ridiculous. President Obama has more work to do in his fight for equality for gays and lesbians but he's a million steps ahead of any Republican politican on this issue (aside from Cheney who when he had 8 years to change the laws he didn't but NOW that he's out of office supports gay marriage).

Carramea55@aol.com   June 17th, 2009 7:00 pm ET

Face it the gay community will never be happy until they get gay marriage. Sorry I am a moderate but will never support that. Civil Unions , rights for the partner yes. In the most primitive society with no Christianity or Islam to rule, men and women get married.

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