Praise and criticism for Obama on federal benefits for gays

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism praised President Obama’s decision to provide domestic partnership benefits to gay and lesbian federal employees, but also said that it wasn’t nearly enough.

"Gay federal employees are no less worthy of domestic partnership benefits than their heterosexual counterparts, and it is past time that progress is made toward equality," said Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. "Yet, despite today’s steps forward, today’s memorandum does not include coverage of health care benefits for the partners of federal employees and we find the policy wanting.  We are also in want of a clear indication from the Administration that earnest efforts are being made toward a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. And we continue to wait for gay and lesbian members of our armed services to be permitted to serve openly."

The National Council of Jewish Women also welcomed the White House move, while also asking for more.

President Obama’s new memorandum extending some personnel benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees is a modest but welcome first-step toward making equal rights for gays and lesbians a reality," said NCJW president Nancy Ratzan. But "it does nothing to reverse the damaging ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy that has deprived our military of the much needed knowledge and skills of those gays and lesbians who would enlist, and deprived those potential enlistees of their right to serve. Ending ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ ought to be a national security and human rights priority of the administration."

The groups’ full releases are after the jump: [[READMORE]]

First, the RAC:

In response to President Obama’s memorandum on Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

We welcome today’s action by the Obama Administration to remove discrimination from the federal workplace. Gay federal employees are no less worthy of domestic partnership benefits than their heterosexual counterparts, and it is past time that progress is made toward equality.

Yet, despite today’s steps forward, today’s memorandum does not include coverage of health care benefits for the partners of federal employees and we find the policy wanting.  We are also in want of a clear indication from the Administration that earnest efforts are being made toward a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. And we continue to wait for gay and lesbian members of our armed services to be permitted to serve openly.

Discrimination against any person because of his or her sexual orientation is deplorable, and we remain disappointed that our government continues to condone such unequal treatment. President Obama’s memorandum is the first in a long series of needed reforms and we hope this Administration will strive to make true the American promise of liberty and justice for all.

And the NCJW:

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today welcomed the memorandum issued by President Obama that extends some benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan issued the following statement:

“President Obama’s new memorandum extending some personnel benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees is a modest but welcome first-step toward making equal rights for gays and lesbians a reality.

“The President’s memorandum extends to civilian employees of the Department of Defense, but not to members of the armed services. It does nothing to reverse the damaging ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy that has deprived our military of the much needed knowledge and skills of those gays and lesbians who would enlist, and deprived those potential enlistees of their right to serve. Ending ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ ought to be a national security and human rights priority of the administration.

“Every person who serves our country as a civilian or member of our armed services deserves full civil rights, including the right to live as they are and the right to marry who they love. NCJW stands ready to work with the President to make equal rights in the military and elsewhere a principle in fact as well as rhetoric.

“We hope that this announcement is the first of many that extend the benefits not only of partnership but also of marriage to all, regardless of sexual orientation.”