Lambda Legal: Obama Administration Can Do More

(New York, June 17, 2009) — President Obama’s planned announcement today misses the mark, according to Lambda Legal's Executive Director, Kevin Cathcart.

"While ending any of the discrimination against gay and lesbian federal employees is a welcome step, today's planned announcement falls far short of our hopes and expectations.

"President Obama clearly understands how important it is for people to have health insurance coverage to protect their loved ones, and this plan does not provide that.

"Lambda Legal is representing Karen Golinskii, a federal employee who works for the judicial branch and who is seeking health insurance coverage for her same-sex spouse. A federal judge has already issued an administrative decision in that matter, concluding that, within the existing rules, the federal government can choose to provide health insurance for same-sex partners. We think they should, and we’ll keep fighting for Karen and her spouse — and for all federal employees.

"Fair treatment of gay employees regarding these benefits is not new -- many employers, states and local governments have been providing benefits for domestic partners for years. We call on the president to bring a swift end to our government's unfair treatment of its own workers. The day is long past for incomplete, piecemeal fixes that leave hard-working families uninsured and struggling.

"Gay men, lesbians, transgender people and people with HIV are subject to significant discrimination. In a time when we are all facing record job loss and skyrocketing health care costs these problems need to be addressed in ways that help everyone in this country including gay men, lesbians, transgender people and people with HIV.

"The administration and congress must work towards ending discrimination in the workplace --including the military -- by passing a federal employment non-discrimination act and repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Additionally, President Obama has said that he believes the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to be unconstitutional. We call on the administration to honor his campaign pledge to advocate forcefully for congressional repeal of DOMA. Married same-sex couples should be afforded the same respect by the federal government as their heterosexual married neighbors."

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Lisa Hardaway 212-809-8585 ext: 266; Email: lhardaway@lambdalegal.org

Erin Baer 212-809-8585 ext: 267; Email: ebaer@lambdalegal.org