Faced with growing anger from its gay and lesbian supporters, the Obama administration yesterday announced the extension of some benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees but stopped short of offering full healthcare coverage.

John Berry, director of the White House Office of Personnel and the highest-ranking gay member of the administration, called the move "long overdue progress in our nation's journey to equality."

At an Oval Office ceremony last night, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum implementing the policy changes. But some expressed disappointment that the president is not taking bolder steps.

"This is not enough. I want to be able to add my wife to my policy in the same way that every other federal employee can add their spouse to their policy," said Kate Kuykendall, a federal worker in Los Angeles. She noted that the federal government is the only employer exempt from a California law requiring such same-sex benefits.

Obama's move allows employees' domestic partners to be added to the government's long-term insurance program, which covers such illnesses as Alzheimer's disease. The memorandum also allows employees to use sick leave to take care of domestic partners, and would let the same-sex partners of diplomats use medical facilities at foreign posts.

"This is a first step, not a final step," Berry said. "This is an attempt to get our federal house in order."

Berry noted that further steps are limited by the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Last week, the Obama administration sparked outrage among gays by filing a legal brief defending the law that forbids federal recognition of same-sex marriage, even though Obama opposed the law during his presidential campaign. Justice Department lawyers cited incest as a reason to support the law.

Obama yesterday said he is committed to repealing that law but needs lawmakers' help. "We've got more work to do to ensure that government treats all its citizens equally, to fight injustice and intolerance in all its forms, and to bring about that more perfect union," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.