COLAGE Applauds President Obama for Recognizing LGBTQ Families

President Obama recognized families headed by two dads on Fathers’ day, and plans to extend the federal right to take family medical leave from work to all families.
The New York Times reported that “The U.S. Department of Labor is expected to issue a ruling that expands family-leave rights for gay workers, officials say. Under the new interpretation of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, workers would be entitled to take unpaid leave to care for the newborn or sick children of their same-sex partners.” The ruling will apply even if the parent or caregiver was not able to legally adopt. In addition, the ruling will help expand the definition of family allowing caregivers such as grandparents take family leave as well. (read more about the changes)
COLAGE applauds President Obama and the Administration for these historic steps forward in our march toward full equality for all families. Living in a world that treats our families differently can be extraordinarily isolating. Recognition from the President helps reduce that isolation and validate our families’ need for equal rights and protections under the law.
However, we still have many challenges ahead. We call on President Obama to extend social security benefits to our families and push for the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), so that no person can be fired for simply being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Watch the White House Pride Reception 2010: