WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration will work to ensure that gay and lesbian Americans are eligible to take leave from their jobs to care for a same-sex spouse, regardless of whether they live in a state that recognizes gay marriage, the White House said Friday.
President Barack Obama is directing the Labor Department to start drafting rules making clear that the Family and Medical Leave Act applies to same-sex couples, allowing gay and lesbian employees to take unpaid leave to care for a sick spouse regardless of where they live. The move comes three years after the Obama administration stopped defending the Defense of Marriage Act, which lets states refuse to recognize gay marriages performed in other states.
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Entities 0 Name: Obama Count: 2 1 Name: White House Count: 1 2 Name: Labor Department Count: 1 3 Name: WASHINGTON Count: 1 4 Name: AP Count: 1 5 Name: Barack Obama Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1np1sWy Title: Obama Moves To Ensure Sick Leave For Gay Couples Description: The Obama administration will work to ensure that gay and lesbian Americans are eligible to take leave from their jobs to care for a same-sex spouse, regardless of whether they live in a state that recognizes gay marriage, the White House said Friday.