Gays critical of Obama same-sex package

WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) -- Gay men and lesbians were among those most critical of U.S. President Barack Obama's same-sex benefits package, observers say.

Domestic partnership benefits that Obama established for federal workers on Wednesday are being criticized as being too timid, The New York Times reported Thursday.

The president's administrative memo extended some partnership rights to federal workers in same-sex relationships, allowing them, among other things, to take leave to care for sick partners.

But, several prominent gay and lesbian political leaders quickly criticized the president for failing to extend full healthcare benefits to the same-sex partners of federal workers.

The administration said it was precluded from expanding benefits further by the Defense of Marriage Act. During his presidential campaign, Obama promised to repeal that law, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman only.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Obama said the memo was just a start, "only one step" in his plans. He called the Defense of Marriage Act "discriminatory" and vowed again to repeal it.