THe Obama administration has made it easier for same-sex partners of federal employees to receive a share of their retirement benefits, while its lawyers seek equal benefits for legally married gay couples from the Supreme Court.
Since 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act has barred federal agencies from recognizing marriages between gay couples or extending them the benefits due a married heterosexual couple. But two years ago, President Obama said this barrier did not necessarily extend to unmarried same-sex partners, and he told federal executives to take a look at the rules to see where equal benefits could be extended.
Added was "same-sex domestic partners" to the small list of those who have employee's retirement. Retirees can opt to provide an annuity for their survivors. Before the rule change, the list of eligible persons for such an annuity included a spouse or former spouse, but not a same-sex partner.
Now a second rule change will permit the children of an employee's domestic same-sex partner to qualify in some instances for a child care subsidy.
A third proposed rule would allow these children of same-sex domestic partners to be covered under the employee's dental and vision insurance.
These would be small but important steps in the direction of equality, and promote equal rights for gay Americans, which I have written in another blog before. The current laws on the books now must be striken down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Until then President Obama must "faithfully execute" the current laws. The question is: How do you feel about this injustice towards our fellow Americans?
Rev.John.
