Obama to Extend Benefits to Gay Federal Workers

So gay people aren't looking for special treatment? A special federal program that is only available to gay people? How is that not special treatment? It is also patently unconstitutional. The Legislative Branch has ZERO authority to set benefits for federal workers. If Obama announced that he was making a special federal benefit just for conservatives, you would be spitting bullets... and rightly so.

I'll guess it'll be an executive order. This will set a precedence.

I think it is about time and i hope its not only for gay or lesbian because that would be unfair also. I think not all states allows gay marriages so some of them may just have 'life partners' and it would really help those gay couples a lot if their partners receives benefits as if they are actually 'legally married'. But how about those who are not gay and have life partners? it should also be taken into consideration.

If this is for unmarried partners, then I can't agree with it unless it extends to the boyfriends and girlfriends of ALL federal employees - not just the gay ones. This would be an example of unequal treatment, only it wouldn't be gays getting the short end, this time.

I don't know if you know my situation that i see both sides of every fence, i have a half black brother but im white and both parents are white so I can both sides of it all, I and so I understand that all that should matter is that we are all the same but gays are the new milleniums prejudice and people are unfairly against for really no reason besides what they read in a book

We've been fighting for equality since the beginning of time. You'd think in today's world there would be less prejudice. I guess there is still a lot of ignorance and fear out there.

This is one of the very few actions made by Obama that I approve of.

As long as this program also covers straight people who are living together, then I think that it is alright but if it only covers gays and lesbians, this program should be thrown out of the window immediately. If the government wants to extend employment benefits, the benefits should be given to all employees and not only to some chosen few.

I think this is a great step in the right direction. I'm so glad that this is happening because there is no reason that could come from a kind and just mind that does not think that gay people do not deserve the SAME rights as straight people, I'm glad that federal workers who are gay will be able to give their very loved partner benefits because every healthy and loving relationship should be viewed as equal to all others...this just makes me hopeful for the future

We've had that for years where I work. No biggie.

Well, now that is a good thing! They should have had these benefits all along.

I say WOOHOO! Working for the Feds has long been one place where gay people could, for the most part, work without fear (I'm not saying there aren't individual instances of discrimination). I remember working for IRS in the 80s in Utah and it was the first time I'd ever worked with anyone who was openly gay. No one hassled them, everyone got along, it made a huge impression on me at that time. I've felt ever since that there is no reason to deny employment or health benefits to anyone because of their gender preference. Now I'm assuming that you mean extending the benefits to their partners because 26 years ago, they were getting all the benefits as employees already.

It's about time! Many states and large corporations already do this. It is, in my opinion, a basic civil rights issue.

He's not doing nearly enough for equality, but this is a step forward I guess.

Shouldn't there be a requirement where they need the domestic partnership certificate to prove they are in a committed relationship? I mean married couples have to provide their marriage certificate and parents have to provide their kid's birth certificates. To be truly equal, the same would have to apply to domestic partnerships to show that they are in a committed relationship. If that clause is left out of his executive order, than that is most certainly discrimination.

Let me just say that I think it's wonderful for everyone to get benefits. As long as everyone is now getting the benefits then I am okay with it. If it is just gay federal workers that are getting certain benefits then that's not okay. Equal rights and opportunities for all. dl

Well, it is about time. I cannot believe how backward this country is. The land of the free unless you are gay, hispanic, african american, chinese, moslem (from any country), not the right kind of christian, female, east indian, american indian...

It doesn't matter to me who benefits from an employee's benefit package.

There goes the arguments lol.. Okay, here's m opinion. I'm personally happy that Obama is doing anything for healthcare at all. I just hope he keeps making changes so that those less fortunate can recieve help in their time of need. Gay or straight doesn't matter. Nobody is going to agree all of the time. Whether you are for gay marriage or against it doesn't even matter anymore. It is acceptable by the law in certain states and there's really no room left for people to sit and complain about it. It is a law like it or not. They become married, then they should be elligible to recieve the same options of every other married couple.

He's not doing nearly enough for equality, but this is a step forward I guess.