Focus on the Family officials say Obama thumbing nose at rule of law

Colorado Springs Business Journal, Jun 17, 2009 by Rob Larimer

Focus on the Family officials said President Barack Obama's decision to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees undermines marriage as society's most pro-child institution.

They also said the president effectivly thumbed his nose at the rule of law with the announcement.

"It's a settled principle of moral tradition and social science that says children do best with both a mom and a dad who are married to each other," Focus on the Family Action Senior Vice President Tom Minnery said. "Congress already defined marriage for purposes of federal law in 1996 with the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act. Treating same-sex partners as the equivalent of spouses is therefore a direct violation of DOMA and merely Obama's contribution to the clearly-stated, gay-activist agenda of redefining marriage and family."

Representatives from Colorado's Gill Foundation declined to comment about Obama's decision or about Focus on the Family's stance.

Obama's decision is seen by many as a political nod to the Democratic voting bloc that in recent weeks has grown frustrated with the White House's slow movement on its priorities.

Several powerful gay fundraisers withdrew their support from a June 25 Democratic National Committee event where Vice President Joe Biden is expected to speak.

Their exit came in response to a June 12 Justice Department brief that defended DOMA, a prime target for gay and lesbian criticism.

Justice lawyers argued that the law allowed states to reject marriages performed in other states or countries that defy their own standards.

Gays and lesbians later fretted as the White House declined to intervene in the cases of enlisted military members facing courts martial for defying the Clinton-era "don't ask, don't tell" policies.

But the administration has made small moves to extend benefits to gays and lesbians.

The State Department has promised to give partners of gay and lesbian diplomats benefits such as diplomatic passports and language training.

Gay activists had expected Obama to take action some time in June, which is Gay Pride Month.