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PFLAG Applauds President's Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Partners of Federal Workers, Calls on Obama to Honor Promise to Repeal DOMA

Posted on: Wednesday, 17 June 2009, 14:16 CDT

WASHINGTON, June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National applauded the decision by President Obama to sign a presidential memorandum authorizing the extension of benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers. However, the group urged the President to honor his promise to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that prevents the Federal government from recognizing same-sex unions.

"This change for federal employees is a great step in the right direction," said Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG. "However, it is just a first step. We are committed to ensuring that the President will stand by his campaign promise to work towards the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act that is a barrier to countless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. DOMA's very existence is the obstacle that prevents the federal government from acknowledging legally-recognized unions."

"DOMA leaves our families and friends unprotected and unequal, without access to more than 1,100 federal benefits. While PFLAG is thrilled to see this Administration move equality forward for federal employees, we will work to ensure that President Obama has not forgotten his commitment to equality for all LGBT Americans," Huckaby concluded.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Learn more at www.pflag.org.

SOURCE Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Source: PR Newswire

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