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FEDERAL BENEFITS TO GAY PARTNERS - OBAMA

US President Barack Obama has extended partial federal partners to the same sex partners of US government workers, in what he said was a historic step towards equality for gays and lesbians. "Many of our government's hardworking and dedicated patriotic public servants have long been denied basic rights that their colleagues enjoy - for one simple reason, the people that they love are of the same sex,"said Mr.Obama upon signing a presidential memorandum ushering in the changes.

Under the changes, domestic partners can be covered by the government's long-term insurance program for illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. The move also allows employees to use sick leave to care for an ill partner or non-biological child, and lets the same-sex partners of diplomats use medical facilities at foreign postings.

The move will also cover members of the Foreign Service, allowing partners of diplomats to use medical facilities at U.S. post abroad, to benefit from medical evacuations and to be included in housing allocations. However, the president's order fell short of offering survivor benefits or comprehensive healthcare, drawing sharp criticism from within the gay community.

The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which bans the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage, prevents more generous benefits for same-sex partners.Obama strongly supported gay rights during his presidential campaign. But he has outraged gay activists since then by failing to fight for two of their priorities: repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, and ending the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which forbids gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

The president seemed to address those frustrations , saying his action "is only one step." He endorsed legislation that would extend the full range of benefits to domestic partners of federal workers and reiterated his opposition to the federal marriage law, calling it discriminatory and vowing to "work with Congress to overturn it."