Partnering Up

Today President Obama will sign a memorandum that will extend health benefits to same-sex partners working for the federal government's civil and foreign services. According to a fact sheet released by the White House, same-sex domestic partners of federal employees will now be able to take advantage of the government's long-term care insurance program; and use their sick leave to take care of domestic partners and non-biological, non-adopted children. For foreign service employees, same-sex partners will also be able to use medical facilities at posts abroad, medical evacuation from posts abroad, and will be included in family size for housing allocations.

The memorandum leaves out full health benefits for same-sex partners, which would require Congress to sign it into law. Some gay rights advocates are also still waiting for more sweeping measures from the president — who made his stance on gay civil rights clear on the campaign trail — with regards to policies like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which bans gay military personnel from being open about their sexuality.

With states taking the lead on the gay marriage issue — especially in traditionally conservative states like Iowa — the pressure is building on the president to act on what is the greatest civil rights issue of our time.