WaPo Profiles Black Lesbian Couple Hopeful to Receive Federal Benefits

Steve Vogel at the Washington Post profiles several federal employees who are hopeful the limited federal benefits extension, signed yesterday by President Barack Obama, will lead to health benefits for their partners. Candy Holmes (left), is 33-year federal employee and information technology manager at the GAO. Holmes and partner Darlene Garner are both ordained clergy with the Metropolitan Community Church

[Holmes'] partner, a clergywoman with limited health insurance, is not covered by the health or retirement benefits that Holmes receives from the federal government. "I've been without benefits for my partner the entire time," said Holmes, an information technology manager at the GAO. "Thank God we have not had any major illness. If we had, I'm not sure how we could manage." 

Obama's order has cheered Holmes and left her optimistic that more change is coming. "Hopeful. Excited," she said of her mood yesterday. "Wanting to believe this is the beginning of equality."

Holmes and her partner, Darlene Garner, are both ordained clergy with the Metropolitan Community Church. "I was thinking about it last night," said Holmes, a native Washingtonian who lives with Garner in Laurel. "We are African American, a lesbian couple, and we are religious. Having gone through the civil rights movement, I'm glad for this step being made." 

It's always nice to put a human face to an otherwise wonkish and theoretical policy debate. In this case, it's even better this was a black lesbian couple who happen to be ordained clergy—it pushes back on the ridiculous notion there are not black LGBTs and re-frames the policy decision as social justice.

Comments

[GRANT]

That's such a beautiful photo.

I'll be the first to admit I was more than a little disappointed and frustrated with the president. But that photo and this article brings it home to me. God bless both of these strong black women.

[Junior]

Those sistahs look fabulous together.I

[Ravenback]

They look so happy together. How can people deny them?

[Talarico]

Their smiles are lighting up the room. I am glad they have a little more happiness in their lives. Let's all work together so they and other couples can have much more happiness!

[ReggieH]

We -- and I include myself in this -- talked yesterday about how much we DIDN'T get from The Prez yesterday...its' good to know that even that small first step was important and improved the lives of such lovely people as these women!

I'm with Talarico -- more work, more pressure, more happiness for all!

[Rod Mc]

Reggie, good observation and I totally agree. That why I posted the story as soon as I found it. -RM