Gay Couples Express Hope Over Benefits Extension

June 18, 2009

The Washington Post
June 18, 2009
The presidential memorandum signed yesterday afternoon by President Obama extends some benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers, among other things allowing them to be included in the long-term-care insurance program. But it still leaves them without federal health and retirement benefits. That will require the passage of legislation now before Congress. Nonetheless, Obama's order has cheered Candy Holmes, an information technology manager at the Government Accountability Office, and left her optimistic that more change is coming. "Hopeful. Excited," she said of her mood yesterday. "Wanting to believe this is the beginning of equality." [Link]