to cover the none federal employee. I may be wrong but:

"The rules with potentially the greatest financial benefit would create a presumption that same-sex domestic partners who meet certain qualifications are eligible for a form of retirement survivor annuity called an “insurable interest” annuity. That benefit provides lifelong payments to the survivor of a federal retiree, much as a standard survivor annuity does for a spouse, although it is slightly less generous. "

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/expansion-of-several-federal-employee-benefits-to-same-sex-partners-planned/2012/07/19/gJQAw2MAwW_blog.html

Edit to add that I am not sure what the "certain qualifications" are.

all the hypocrisy must come to a boiling point and spill over...

Unaware, but not surprised.

As a gay male who had to hide my orientation for years at work she probably had to hide hers to become an astronaut. But after she retired from NASA I hope she was able to live as herself with her partner.

I sincerely doubt she would have wanted to be known as "the lesbian astronaut." So she apparently didn't make much out of it.

I will still refer to her as the "First US Woman" to go into space.

I totally agree.

Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova-- A Russian.

They both stated, unequivocally, US.

or he would not have called her name

And heck, he's only a US Presidential candidate.

Maybe at that time she wanted to be with a man. And when that time was over, she found another person that she wanted to be with who happened be a woman.

I'm not understanding why many people still try to categorize sexual preference as straight or gay. I believe that there are three sexual preferences: straight, gay and bi-sexual.

Back in the early 1950s Kinsey documented peoples sexual fluidity.

'Sexual preference' implies it is all just a choice.

But you are right, bisexual is an orientation. Many and perhaps most people are bisexual to some degree

not that it matter one bit. And its ORIENTATION not preference. (Believe me there were plenty of times as a kid where I preferred to be straight.)

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2012/07/former_astronaut_sally_ride_re.php

that she was Norwegian.

(Bad joke from a Dane.)

but that marriage did not work out and ended in divorce. Some people, such as Dr. Ride, are very private, and we need to respect their right to be so. Dr. Ride also did not do commercials and product endorsements. That she was inspired to encourage girls to pursue math and science careers is wonderful. I'm sorry that her female partner did not receive the benefits due to hetero surviving spouses.

Thanks and welcome to DU

When DOMA is overturned, and I'd be willing to bet it will be, I wonder if surviving partners/spouses would be eligible for retroactive benefits.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your thread.

straight? I just think this society suffers from the most disgusting hypocrisy.

it is a federal law. That's why we need to go after DOMA. It is the problem.

shows mitt doesn't give a shit...

peace, kp

She was not, however, the "first woman in space". The US is not the only country to have a space program.

However, her partner should still get benefits.

We don't recognize any accomplishments by them Ruskies.

it just goes to show no matter who you are and what all the good you have done sometimes you and the person you love are still second class citizens.

no matter where they live.

You generally need more time in the barrel to qualify for federal benefits.

NASA might have a different scheme, though--I will admit I'm no expert in how they work their system.

And I don't really have a bumper sticker answer for that.

I can give the 15 minute answer, but many people are not bright enough to get it.

The trouble is that no will can give the surviving partner a pension - like the federal pension my mother received for years after my father passed away. She also got to keep his excellent federal health insurance. Two things Ms. Ride's partner will not be entitled to.

Thought this was an appropriate response...

K&R

The president has control over the policies directly affecting the federal bureaucracy. Like President Truman did when integrating the army, President Obama can issue an executive order making federal employees not subject to DOMA. He has already laid the ground work by ordering the justice department to stop defending the law. Though admittedly, I am unsure of the mechanics of DOMA's implementation.

This is a story that needs to be told everywhere, from grammar school history books to the NASA website.

Thank you, ProSense

where one works for the federal government and the other is covered by the "insurable interest" clause. Maybe Sally Ride's partner doesnt qualify.

no exceptions