Defense of Marriage Act decision adds to list of gay rights victories

By Ed O'Keefe



Gay rights advocates march by the White House Oct. 11, 2009. (AP)

The Obama administration's decision to no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act adds to a growing list of victories for gay rights groups that have sought changes to how the federal government treats gay men and lesbians through a series of executive actions and legislation.

We've reviewed this growing list of changes before, but it's worth a refresher:

• May 24, 2009: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announces plans to extend a series of benefits to the same-sex partners of U.S. diplomats working abroad, including diplomatic passports, relocation assistance, use of embassy medical facilities, and inclusion in emergency evacuations from posts abroad.

• June 17, 2009: President Obama signs a memo extending fringe benefits to the same-sex partners of gay federal employees and announces his support for legislation that would extend all benefits to them. The legislation has yet to pass.

• Aug. 3, 2009: The U.S. Census Bureau announces it plans to count same-sex marriages as part of the 2020 Census and will also provide partial data from the 2010 Census.

• March 17, 2010: The Department of Housing and Urban Development announces it plans to probe allegations of housing discrimination against same-sex couples. In January, it announced a series of proposed rule changes meant to accommodate gay and lesbian home buyers.

• June 3, 2010: As part of his previous push to extend more benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees, Obama signs a memo offering a wider range of them, including access to medical treatment, relocation assistance, credit unions and fitness centers.

• Dec. 22, 2010: Obama signs legislation authorizing the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans gays and lesbians from openly serving in uniform. The Pentagon later announces plans to quickly train commanders, chaplains and the rank and file in order to end the ban this year.

• Jan. 7, 2011: The State Department decides to make passport applications for children more gender neutral by adding "Parent 1" and "Parent 2" next to any reference of "Mother" and "Father."

Gay rights advocates are also pushing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure appropriate protections to gay and lesbian people and their children during disaster relief efforts, and are calling on the Transportation Security Administration to draft nondiscriminatory policies addressing the treatment of transgender air passengers.

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