"This critical legislation will provide health, life and survivor benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees."
"Mr. Chairman, I appear before you today both as the lead author of this legislation, but also as a lesbian Federal employee who has been in a committed relationship with my partner, Lauren, for over 1..."
"Government should work for us, not against us."
"Because of the Defense of Marriage Act, even those same-sex couples who are afforded the right to marry in certain States would not have those marriages recognized currently at the Federal level."
"You see, the issue we are here to address is not about personal belief, and it is not the definition of marriage."
"Mr. Chairman, I was reluctant to relive before this committee the most painful chapter of my life, the decision to leave a career that I love."
"the need to consider providing domestic partners' benefits to Federal employees should also be evaluated in light of the potential positive impacts that such policies can have on the Federal Governmen..."
"This bill shows that we recognize the value of every American and their families and their relationships."
"I regard this as an issue of equal compensation both in pay and benefits, but predominantly, we're looking at benefits for equal work."
"As a diplomat, I advanced American principles of equality, fair play, and respect for diversity in the countries to which I was posted;"
"LGBT Americans are not demanding so-called special rights, as some claim, through this or any other bill."
"First, principle is at stake. Equality, fair mindedness, and respect for diversity are at the heart of America's identity."
"We have families that we love, that we need to take care of, just as you do."
"This issue is hard only because we make it so."
"Being treated so unfairly now because of who I love is more than a matter of fairness; it is an issue of civil rights."
"This legislation is needed to offer gay and lesbian Federal workers true equality and benefits and ensure fairness in the workplace."
"the Federal employee who is in a same-sex partnership, whether they are married, in a marriage recognized at their State level or not, would have to file an affidavit of eligibility relating to their ..."
"it made much more sense to create this mechanism to provide the employment fringe benefits, and that's what this bill is limited to."
