Obama to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers

Move seen as nod to bloc

WASHINGTON (Winston-Salem Journal) - President Obama, under growing criticism for not trying to end the ban on openly gay men and women in the military, is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

Obama plans to announce his decision today in the Oval Office, a White House official said yesterday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the president hadn't yet signed the presidential memorandum.

The official said that Obama would release more details today.