Russia fails in benefits challenge for gay UN workers

[WorldNews]

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Russia failed Tuesday to block a United Nations decision to extend full spousal benefits to legally married gay UN employees. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last June gave same-sex couples the same benefits, such as pension entitlements and travel allowances, that heterosexual couples can expect, provided they were wed in a country where gay marriage is legal. Previously, same-sex couples could only enjoy benefits if they were citizens of a country where gay marriage is recognized, which is not the case in Russia. Moscow tried to block the initiative and demanded a vote before the Fifth Committee of the UN Assembly General, which manages the international organization's budget.

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