06/17/2009
HRC Releases Statement in Advance of Presidential Memorandum
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese released a statement praising the offering of "some benefits" to partners of federal workers in advance of a press conference by Obama scheduled for 5:45 this evening.
“Today’s Presidential memorandum committing to a federal workplace free from discrimination, including the extension of some benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers, is a welcome and long-overdue step toward bringing the government’s policies closer in line with what America’s largest companies understand is good for business. Today’s presidential signature is the first brick in paving what is a long path toward equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. We commend President Obama and his administration for taking this beginning step to level the playing field but we look forward to working with him to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, overturn 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' and guarantee the entire American workforce is free from discrimination.”
Previously
Obama to Extend Federal Benefits to Gay Employees - updated [tr]
Posted 12:11 PM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Gay Rights, Human Rights Campaign, News | Permalink
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Good for the partners of federal workers, but for goodness sake, how hard is it to repeal discriminatory laws like DOMA? Just recognize marriage and you won't have these complicated problems of issuing some rights to some people sometimes. Ugh, what kind of America is it where we have to "earn" rights one by one, to live and work without everybody harassing us? The ridiculous part is that the federal employees don't even get equal benefits!
Posted by: x-guy | Jun 17, 2009 12:24:55 PM
Well it looks like Joe is already preparing to cave.
I read these 'benefits' won't even include healthcare, and of course expire at the end of the Obama administration.
Literally crumbs are being thrown to shut us up and just open our wallets. Insulting.
Posted by: Wes | Jun 17, 2009 12:28:49 PM
Unless the Fed Worker Spouses get
1. Health Care/Insurance
2. Social Security Spousal Survivors Benefits
3. Spousal Survior benefits to Federal Pension
4. Tax Fee Spousal Inheritance Rights to my 401K
The Memorandum really isn't worth shit.
Can;t believe the HRC kissed ass BEFORE anything was signed.
Typical
Posted by: Wolfie | Jun 17, 2009 12:29:20 PM
"some" benefits???? why only SOME?
wtf
Posted by: david | Jun 17, 2009 12:33:46 PM
Sounds like Joe got a call from some minor functionary in the White House and he's swooning over it!!
Apparently, according to him...turn off the pressure. See, they gave you this!
Bullshit. Hell, this thing that going to be paraded out today will expire when Obama leaves office.
Posted by: Terry | Jun 17, 2009 12:43:09 PM
This is why I refuse to support HRC. This is fucking ridiculous !
Posted by: gabriel | Jun 17, 2009 12:47:04 PM
And we expect more from the HRC why? This is ridiculous.
Posted by: DR | Jun 17, 2009 12:50:23 PM
Joe left out something O can legally do TODAY:
FREEZE DADT DISCHARGES!
FREEZE DADT DISCHARGES!
FREEZE DADT DISCHARGES!
FREEZE DADT DISCHARGES!
FREEZE DADT DISCHARGES!
FREEZE DADT DISCHARGES!
TODAY!!!
Posted by: Michael @ LeonardMatlovich.com | Jun 17, 2009 12:52:14 PM
Read up on this in Politico.com. Apparently they don't get shit because DOMA prevents the government from extending any benefits of real value to same sex partners. Blowhard Joe can kiss my ass and stop asking for money. HRC like all the other Gay and Lesbian advocacy groups have been nothing short of wasted oxygen that keep coming to us for money and still have nothing to show for their feeble efforts. Lame.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 17, 2009 12:52:35 PM
HRC basically just gave away whatever footing we had against the Obama administration. This is a memorandum, not an executive order (ie, ends immediately when Obama leaves office) and does not offer full healthcare rights. Its a nice gesture, but that's about it.
Posted by: Garrett in SF | Jun 17, 2009 12:53:17 PM
If we all pull support from HRC they will dissapear for good.
The only thing that could save this once-proud organization is if it's current leaders are tossed out on their butts by it's board of directors.
The only way that could happen was if they felt financially threatened.
Who knew that Uncle Tom died his skin lilly white and 'switched' teams.
Posted by: Roger Ramjett | Jun 17, 2009 12:55:08 PM
Gays are only worth 3/5th of real heterosexual people, that's why we only deserve some but not all benefits
Posted by: Al Benson | Jun 17, 2009 12:57:18 PM
HRC is as bad as the Obama administration... for that matter they might as well be considered part of the Obama administration. They don't represent me! 2% of all Federal workers are LGBT, and this won't cover anything. It's only words. The benefits are not benefits at all without the inclusion of healthcare (Obama's priority for everyone else by the way!). So Joe can kiss my ass! By the way, Rachel is already jumping on HRC for caving in.
Posted by: Wayne | Jun 17, 2009 12:58:04 PM
This is insulting. And once again Solmonese gets down on his knees and grovels at his master's feet. OBAMA FAIL.
Posted by: Alexander | Jun 17, 2009 1:00:59 PM
Who ARE you people on this comment board?? Geez! Of course I'm disappointed in the smallness of this presidential action, but I think HRC put out a very balanced statement.
They welcomed this step forward (and it IS a step forward) and made clear that there are many items in our agenda that need to be dealt with.
But there is absolutely no proof of HRC "caving in" to anything. They're acknowledging the president's action and calling for more progress on DADT, DOMA, ENDA, etc. What's ridiculous is thinking HRC should tell the president to take his memo and shove it and then stand on the sidelines and throw stones for the next three years.
Posted by: Jonathan | Jun 17, 2009 1:18:53 PM
It's clear that Joe likes getting smoke blown up his ass, and like Clinton, Obama's words were just that, words to get elected.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jun 17, 2009 2:05:14 PM
Joe has got to go. . .I won't support HRC anymore. To say any small step is progress is a joke, as this very small step is temporary and does nothing substantial to bring equality for federal employees. I agree with almost everyone here. . .we're angry, and I think it's too late for Obama to recover...first Warren, then nothing for 4 months, then the DOJ brief, and now this. . .this is really just no change at all from any other administration.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 17, 2009 2:06:54 PM
The HRC is caving. Period. What an irrelevant organization stewarded by cowardly toadies. Politicians to the core. With friends like these...
The HRC statement should have used strong language to say "thanks but no thanks." Now is not the time to back down. Now is the time to tell the White House that gay Americans are only asking Obama and his administration to meet the standards they laid out while campaigning. This offer of "some benefits" is so obviously a panicky afterthought. Gay Americans should take this as the measure of consideration that gays are being afforded. Time to wake up.
Posted by: seeldee | Jun 17, 2009 2:08:46 PM
What a crock!!
Posted by: Zo | Jun 17, 2009 2:18:07 PM
It's a lie. Only SOME federal workers get SOME benefits. If any of the soldiers Obama is asking to die in Afghanistan tried for this, they get courtmartialed and dishonorable discharged. As long as Obama keeps DADT, he can't falsely claim that he's giving benefits to federal workers when it is only SOME federal workers...not the ones who put their lives on the line. I guess they're expendable in more ways than one.
Posted by: Dave | Jun 17, 2009 2:29:21 PM
I think the French had a word for those who cooperated with the Nazi oppressors in WWII--collaborator---It is not a compliment. If memory serves, they did not fare to well after the war.
Posted by: David | Jun 17, 2009 2:33:25 PM
Joe, and his employers, thinks it's more important to get called in by the White House to "advise" than it is to do the job they are paid for. I beleive we call that brown-nosing and social climbing.
No more $$$ for this tired and useless group.
If the Obama administration ever makes any substantive changes for our community, the bloggers like Andy will deserve most of the credit.
Posted by: jmdrwac | Jun 17, 2009 2:43:20 PM
As a federal club member (well make that ex now), I find HRC to be completely and totally out of touch with the people they profess to represent.
C'mon... this bone is so small it wont even be a scooby snack! And for Joe to praise the president... "Please sir.. may I have another?" Its disgusting. The leadership of HRC should be replaced. Replaced with people who are in tune with the LGBT community and not just the politcos who donate to their cause.
Posted by: Trace | Jun 17, 2009 3:04:08 PM
What a laughably flaccid statement!! Is there a more impotent so-called LGBT advocacy organization than HRC??
Try again, folks! Sheeeesh!
Posted by: Perry | Jun 17, 2009 4:28:51 PM
HRC is back on my shit list.
And to think, they didn't even make it to the good side for 24 hours!
Posted by: FunMe | Jun 17, 2009 5:08:39 PM