Here is a surprising breaking news item that is bound to get some members here worked up into quite a tizzy! President Obama will announce tomorrow that he will extend health and other benefits to gay federal employees.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6483583.html
Obama will make the announcement in the Oval Office tomorrow. There aren't many details available at this time but this announcement comes as a complete surprise. It's unknown if this will be just for his Presidency or if it will be an Executive Order which will go beyond the time he leaves office.
Any thoughts? I say it's about time and let's hope other employers follow suit.
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
I'll guess it'll be an executive order. This will set a precedence. [uath13]
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. [ParaTed2k]
you bring up a good point there Parated2k and here is my thought on this, i really don't like this let me first say, but another reason why there is so much focus on same sex couples in the statements about the federal benefits is because the gay community has been waiting for Obama to overturn "don't ask, don't tell" military policy...so this whole benefits thing is in a way like "hey look we are doing something", I think it still is great but i don't like that a part of it is political agenda ..so I think maybe the fact that its not being extended to the military is because they don't want there to be stirring up of talk of same sex couples in the military (and no i just want to say that Im not saying that benefits are only for same sex, its just that majority of domestic partners are probably same sex because they don't have a choice) because then it will just put more focus on that he hasn't overturned the policy and so more people will still focus on that.....*I wait for all of obama dislikers to pass out from shock that a for the most part obama-liker to state such a theory that doesn't make him look good* lol [spicysweetie21]
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. [cdparazo]
I guess i have to think better than that and not continue to believe the worst. Where is hope in that? and its just not so me... those two that you mentioned (reid and pelosi) well, may have failed somehow but I still believe that they could still make a difference if they got the mind to do it. If those 2 didn't do a good job, I am sure somebody is doing their job. They are not the only people in congress, right? If not and i continue to believe the worst in people, in every motive, in every move that my leaders make , well, that would just make me bitter and unhappy about everything and look at the future with fear. That's why i vote even if I am so skeptical because i keep hoping that somebody would do right this time. [cdparazo]
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. [jerzgirl]
Yes, I did mean extending the benefits to their partners. I guess my fingers got ahead of my brain on this one. That's surprising that you had that experience 26 years ago in Utah of all places! Annie [anniepa]
Well that would be really nice of Barack Obama,I'm sure his bi-sexual cuddly bear old buddy Larry Sinclare will be very happy about the good news. [kennyrose]
Thank you for responding, Rose, but what's your point? Annie [anniepa]
I say it is about time as well. I am sorry but when these couples are in committed relationships they should be allowed to share benefits, be in a hospital room when someone is near death etc. I have to say this is ONE thing he has done that I agree with. now for the ones he has done that I cringe at. [meandmy3]
Thank you, Spicy. I agree, the benefits should be extended to all domestic partners regardless of their sexual orientation if they're in a committed relationship. Annie [anniepa]
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 [dloveli]
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 happy [spicysweetie21]
It's so nice to read something positive and hopeful for a change! Thank you, again! Annie [anniepa]
To be honest, I am not one inclined to support such a decision. However, the man is standing by his convictions and doing as liberals will do. It is kinda strange that a muslim would put forward such a notion. Well, some people would have you believe he's a muslim... How are you anniepa? [cooler1968]
I'm fine, thank you, how are you? You're right, some would have us believe President Obama is a Muslim; some would also have us believe he's a communist, Osama Bin Laden in disguise and the anti-Christ! Annie [anniepa]
We've had that for years where I work. No biggie. [piasabird]
That's one of the shortest responses I've gotten but it's also one of the best if not THE "Best Response". Annie [anniepa]
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 [spicysweetie21]
Excellent point and I can understand how you do have a unique perspective. Annie [anniepa]
This is one of the very few actions made by Obama that I approve of. [whiteheather39]
Hey, well at least there's a few! Annie [anniepa]
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. [katsmeow1213]
I can't comprehend it, but I'm sick to death of people who think it's okay to tell someone else how to live their life, or what to do with it. Live and let live! [katsmeow1213]
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. [sierras236]
I haven't looked at every state law but I know in States like California, Florida and a few others there is a legal process to become domestic partners. I think you see the problem if they don't have a certificate. Then any two people could claim that they are in a relationship and get benefits. Which since this only applies to gay/lesbian couples would in fact be discrimination against straight men and women who live together but aren't married. [sierras236]
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. [xoxcharityxox]
The problem is same sex couples can't legally marry in most of the states but there are federal workers in every state. It wouldn't be right to give the benefits only to gay couples who happen to live in one of the handful of states that recognizes their marriage. Annie [anniepa]
Exactly what's the suprise in this? He is a liberal president...with liberal agenda's...it was not a surprise to me at all... [hornswaggled]
It was a "surprise" because there had been no advance warning he'd planned on doing this. When a "liberal" President drags his feet on doing away with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and defends the "Defense of Marriage Act" why wouldn't this be surprising? Annie [anniepa]
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... [dragonlady9947]
He's not doing nearly enough for equality, but this is a step forward I guess. [trose7]
I tend to agree with you. I don't know why equality for gays should be seen as a "liberal" agenda. To me it's a human rights issue. Just like having Beidermeier Furniture. Annie [anniepa]
He's not doing nearly enough for equality, but this is a step forward I guess. [trose7]
Well, now that is a good thing! They should have had these benefits all along. [sid556]
Absolutely! It's a disgrace they haven't, in my opinion. Annie [anniepa]
It's about time! Many states and large corporations already do this. It is, in my opinion, a basic civil rights issue, especially concerning auto insurance acceptance. [LovesTravel]
That's exactly how I look at it as well. I have a Business Administration Career. Annie [anniepa]
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. [alindahaw]
It doesn't matter to me who benefits from an employee's benefit package. [6precious102]
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. [Latrivia]
It doesn't apply to health or pension benefits, apparently that can't be done by the President, it has to be passed by Congress. Annie [anniepa]