Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, the first and only openly lesbian Member of Congress, today praised President Obama’s signing of a memorandum outlining certain benefits for gay and lesbian federal employees.  In a statement following a signing ceremony she attended in the Oval Office, Baldwin said she was gratified to hear the president express his support for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and for a bill she introduced to extend a host of benefits to federal employees in same-sex relationships.  From Baldwin’s statement:

LGBT Americans yearn for full equality.  After last week’s U.S. Department of Justice filing seeking to dismiss a challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), many in the LGBT community, myself included, were profoundly disappointed.  After that disappointment, I was heartened to hear the President make a strong case today for the repeal of DOMA. 

President Obama said today that his Memorandum is just a start.  I agree that it is an important step in the quest for full equality for LGBT Americans.  I welcome the challenge and the President’s support.