Barry is the highest ranking openly gay appointee in the Obama administration.

During a media conference call Barry called this action "This is an important step, first step... to get our administrative house in order."

Barry indicated that the order will clarify and strengthen non discrimination rules for federal civil service and title five employees. "These federal employees may not be dismissed for any reason other than job performance."

Barry specifically indicated that this nondiscrimination policy is inclusive of transgendered employees.

For civil service employees, domestic partners of federal employees can be added to the long-term care insurance program; supervisors can also be required to allow employees to use their sick leave to take care of domestic partners and non-biological, non-adopted children. For foreign service employees, a number of benefits were identified, including the use of medical facilities at posts abroad, medical evacuation from posts abroad, and inclusion in family size for housing allocations.

The Presidential Memorandum requests that the Director of OPM and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton extend to same-sex partners of federal employees the benefits they have identified. The Memorandum also request the heads of all other executive branch departments and agencies to conduct internal reviews to determine whether other benefits they administer might be similarly extended, and to report the results of those reviews to the Director of OPM.

Director Barry added that the President and the administration are working to act on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered priorities including a federal hate crimes legislation and inclusive employment nondiscrimination protections. The hate crimes bill is expected to be approved by both the Senate and the House in coming weeks.

Barry made clear that President Obama's administration is working with Congress to build support for passage of these priorities as well as legislation to over turn the millitary ban - Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) and The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Repeal of the latter two laws would allow President Obama to further extend federal employment benefits and protections.

When asked if this memorandum is in response to the Justice Department's heavy handed brief in defense of DOMA that was filed last week, Barry replied that "this is not as a result of outside pressure".

Barry stated that President Obama would indeed sign these items of legislation as Congress approves them and sends them to the White House for his signature. —Tim Moran