While President Obama deserves credit for extending some marital benefits to same sex partners of Federal employees, more is needed if we are to provide same sex couples with the civil rights and protections normally enjoyed by Americans. One basic step must be repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  The area is important to both federal and state legislators, although federal and state roles are different. Rules for marriage appropriately belong to the states, but civil rights protections are a federal responsibility.