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Yet another HUGE step in the direction of equality. I am LOVING what Hillary Clinton is doing in her role as Secretary of State. I understand that Obama can’t be so outspoken on these issues, because he’s burdened with being President of the entire country — even its massive contingent of dumb and/or ignorant people — but Hillary, in her new role, has both more power than she had as a Senator and more political freedom than she’d have as the President. She’s taken advantage of both, and has been very outspoken and pro-active for both women’s health and equality in marriage. Bravo, Secretary of State Clinton!
Clinton is planning to send out a memo to employees of the State Department stating a change in policy that would extend government benefits to same-sex domestic partners of employees. The memo is still in a draft form, but it’s been leaked to CNN, and they claim two separate sources have confirmed its authenticity.
“Historically, domestic partners of Foreign Service members have not been provided the same training, benefits, allowances and protections that other family members receive,” the notice says. “These inequities are unfair and must end.”
The change, however, is not a done deal, a senior administration official familiar with the memo said Sunday morning. The State Department cannot change policies without interagency review, the official said.
The official, who is not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, did not want to be named.
Currently, domestic partners in same-sex relationships with Foreign Service members are not eligible to take part in special early-round applications for jobs at embassies, as heterosexual spouses can.
They are also not covered by their partners’ health insurance, lack access to U.S. medical facilities abroad, and are not eligible for emergency evacuations.
Until now, the State Department had withheld these benefits citing the Defense of Marriage Law, which restricts the recognition of same-sex marriages on the federal level.
If the State Department makes the proposed changes in its regulations, those benefits — and many others — will become available.
“Providing training, medical care and other benefits to domestic partners promote the cohesiveness, safety and effectiveness of our posts abroad,” the note says.
It will also help attract and retain personnel and, the note adds, “it is the right thing to do.”
Bravo, bravo, bravo. This is where the real change occurs: When people in positions of power choose to take action toward equal rights instead of providing them with lip service. Thank you for setting this trend early in the Obama administration, Hillary.
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That is fantastic. The US are advancing unstoppably towards equal rights for everyone.
No,I fuck the USA.
Really? I imagine that’s quite the feat.
Really? Because we’ve got http://zeldalily.com/index.php/2009/05/rapeaxe-anti-rape-condom-will-turn-that-predators-penis-into-a-cactus/#comments , bitch.
L. MM-FAO.
I think that “No, I fuck the USA” as well as the following comments may be my favorite thing ever.
I think Hillary has accomplished far more as Secretary of State than she would have been able to as President. It’s funny how the world works out sometimes. Bravo, Madame Secretary!
What has she been accomplishing, exactly?
um, did you not read the article?
Yay!
I’d like to think this idea came from Barack because he really needs to please throw us (LGBTQ) a bone. I know he’s busy, I know he has a full plate. It’s just that… we (LGBTQ) people worked our asses off for him. We sure as hell all voted for him (excluding a few with Stockholm Syndrome — Lincoln Log Republicans, WTF?!) and it’d be nice if he acknowledged our existence every now and then…
Especially after he promised to repeal DADT and hasn’t.