Pres-Elect Obama & Family Law

The Obama Transition has been releasing materials on its change.gov website, many of which are important for Family Law Profs.

The "Family" page includes proposals on the FMLA and taxes.

Under "Civil Rights," the portion addressing "Support for the LGBT Community," includes proposals relating to same-sex relationships:

• Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.
• Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage:
  Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which
  would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented
  judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other
  unmarried couples.

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