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Lonely DC Fundraiser Leads To Federal Benefits For Same-Sex Couples?

It was just thirteen word. They stated simply that the President is to sign an executive order extending federal benefits to all same-sex couples within the Federal government. That is, for the gay, lesbian and transgender employee partners. He shall be doing so at 5:45pm on Wednesday. This comes at a time when the upcoming LGBT fundraiser is becoming a lonely affair. The departure of Andy Towle (Towle Road), David Mixner and Pam Spaulding (Pams Houseblend), and supposedly large groups such as the Human Rights Campaign are threatening to mean that Vice President Joe Biden will be giving his speech before an empty room.

It is not just the growing flack concerning the wording in the Department of Justice’s brief asking for the dismissal of Smelt v. United States, a defense that made Rush Limbaugh go blue in the face out of joy in trying to explain to us ‘boys, girls, and confused’ that Obama was on our side. A defense that may have been little more than a great big snafu (please refer to the enlistedman’s definition of that word), and little more than a cut and paste job by a hold over from the Bush Administration. It is the growing frustration in the administration that the President has not been pushing for an end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell despite stating that he wants to put it to an end. There is a strong feeling that the pressure is building.

What makes it worse is that this particular briefing comes at a time when we are learning that hate crimes against gays, lesbians and transpeople are on the rise. They are at their highest since 1999 in terms of murders, and it is clear that this is getting worse. This kind of briefing simply just adds to the fire rather than damping it down.

But will this be enough to quiet the growing descent in the Democratic base? Unfortunately, it more than likely will not be. While this grants those benefits to the federal employees, it would be far better to simply push for an end to DOMA so that this executive order, which incidentally does go against DOMA, would not be necessary. It is like taking a thimble and hoping that much water will be enough to stop the leak. It is time for President Barack Obama to take bold action and ask Congress to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act and to repeal DOMA or at least not defend DOMA in the courts.

It is a small step. It is a welcome step, but it is not likely to appease those who are growing frustrated with not only the President, but Congress as well.