Obama's 'benefit extension' Not Much to gay federal employees

UPDATE: JUNE 18, 2009 1:07 PM
John Berry, the openly gay director of OPM, was the first guest on the Diane Rehms Show (NPR)this morning. He explained what it was exactly that Obama signed yesterday and "promised" that Obama is not finished. He says the president is trying to overturn both Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Defense Of Marriage Act as well as enact stronger hate crimes laws. You can listen to the show here: http://wamu.org/programs/dr/09/06/18.php

Gay couples (married, in civil unions or in domestic partnerships) STILL won't be able to share health benefits. The legislation the President signed yesterday is pretty hollow. It only allows gay people to "ask for time off if their partner is ill." - (I can already do that!) It DOESN'T extend health benefits to partners, it doesn't allow retirement or pensions to go to a partner should one pass. Then why sign this? I guess it's to make it look like the President cares. I'm really disappointed. He won't repeal "Don't ask, don't tell," he won't make gay civil unions a federal law (even though he said he supports it), and now he won't extend full federal benefits. But, he CAN'T give full benefits, because the "Defense of Marriage Act" needs to be repealed.
Why is that important to gay couples to share benefits who legally can't get married in Maryland (yet) or 43 other states? Although I understand the concern of extending benefits to non-married partners, that would be a non-issue if the federal gov't allowed gay couples to marry. The answer is that simple, and its also fair and equal.
THE ARTICLE Wednesday, June 17, 2009 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will sign a memorandum on Wednesday to extend healthcare and other benefits to unmarried domestic partners of federal workers, a White House official said on Tuesday.
It's not healthcare, it's extended leave if needed for health reasons of a partner.
Pres.Obama himself is well aware of the discrimination at least- I just read on ABC News: The President said that he is limited in the benefits he can extend, due to legal constraints under the Defense of Marriage Act. He has pledged to overturn that law, and today repeated that promise.
"I believe it's discriminatory, I think it interferes with states' rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it," the President said. "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. I'm committed to these efforts, and I pledge to work tirelessly on behalf of these issues in the months and years to come."