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Washington DC – On June 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed a presidential memorandum granting benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. President Obama’s action follows closely behind his proclamation declaring June to be “LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgendered) Pride Month” as a second official action favoring the homosexual community. As a result, for the first time in our nation’s history, homosexual partners of federal employees will receive benefits just short of health insurance and retirement funding. 

President Obama’s memorandum grants same-sex partners of federal employees and foreign service officers sick leave and long-term care insurance rights. As part of his announcement of the memorandum, the President also reiterated his promise to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which preserves states’ rights to refuse to recognize same-sex relationships treated as marriage in another state.

Traditional marriage is the building block of a stable society and a foundational Biblical principle. With a stroke of his pen, the President has single-handedly undermined the foundation of marriage with no input from the legislature, judiciary or the people of the United States.

Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs with Liberty Counsel responded to the President’s actions: “This is the proverbial camel’s nose in the tent for extremist homosexual pressure groups. The President’s unilateral actions today certainly violate the spirit of DOMA and quite possibly the letter of the law. He has also reaffirmed his intention to have DOMA repealed and in typical Obama double-speak said that DOMA ‘interferes with States’ rights.’ This is patently absurd. In fact, DOMA expressly protects States’ rights. If DOMA is repealed, then states like Massachusetts and Vermont will define marriage for all fifty states, effectively redefining the institution into oblivion. The President’s radical social agenda is fast taking shape and must be stopped.”