As the New York Times reported on Thursday, "two judges of the federal appeals court in California said that employees of their court were entitled to health benefits for their same-sex partners under the program that insures millions of federal workers." But, citing the "Defense of Marriage Act," the federal Office of Personnel Management has instructed insurers not to provide the benefits ordered by the judges.

President Obama is now faced with a choice -- to uphold the benefit ban or keep his campaign promise to enforce equal rights. Last year, in a letter to San Francisco's Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, he reaffirmed his support for providing federal equal rights to same-sex couples:

"I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law." -- Senator Barack Obama, in a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, March 2008

President Obama now has the opportunity to keep his promise and allow the federal government to provide health benefits to all same-sex partners and spouses of federal employees.

Please sign on to this letter to President Obama as soon as possible:

Dear President Barack Obama,

Your historic election to the presidency shows that any barrier to equality in America can be overcome. We were especially pleased that you demonstrated a clear commitment to ending discrimination by speaking out in support of "extending (full) equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law."

Unfortunately, your predecessors did not share this commitment, as they discriminated against gay and lesbian federal employees by denying them the same benefits that partners and spouses of their heterosexual colleagues receive. Now, you have an opportunity to provide a fresh start and make good on your campaign commitment to equality.

We, the undersigned, call upon you to allow the federal government to provide the same health benefits to same-sex spouses and partners of federal employees that other federal employee spouses receive. We promise to support you in this effort, especially in the likely event that right-wing opponents attack you for implementing equal rights for all federal employees.

Sincerely,