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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 04:50 PM Feb 2013

Pentagon to extend certain benefits to same-sex spouses

Source: WaPo

By Ernesto Londoño, Updated: Tuesday, February 5, 3:38 PM

The Pentagon has decided to extend certain benefits to the spouses of gay and lesbian personnel, according to officials and people notified about the decision, responding to the increasingly vocal appeals of same-sex couples in the military.

The military expects to announce the decision this week.

Officials at the Pentagon would not say which new benefits the department has determined it can extend to same-sex couples without violating the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 law that bars the federal government from legally recognizing same-sex unions. Gay rights advocates have called for benefits including housing privileges, access to base recreational facilities and joint duty assignments for couples in the military.

Legal experts say, however, that the Pentagon will be unable to extend more than 100 benefits while the Defense of Marriage Act remains in place.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/2013/02/05/3f68a638-6fc6-11e2-ac36-3d8d9dcaa2e2_story.html?wpisrc=al_national

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Pentagon to extend certain benefits to same-sex spouses (Original Post) DonViejo Feb 2013 OP
Another small step towards equality....nt msanthrope Feb 2013 #1
Progress always comes in small steps. iandhr Feb 2013 #2
DOMA is still alive and rearing it's ugly head. nm rhett o rick Feb 2013 #3
I had the honor of serving with a great American in Somalia and the Balkans, SQUEE Feb 2013 #4
Thank you for sharing "Spark"'s story with us. tpsbmam Feb 2013 #6
I'm glad they are doing what they can Marrah_G Feb 2013 #5
Another small step... Ohio Joe Feb 2013 #7

SQUEE

(1,315 posts)
4. I had the honor of serving with a great American in Somalia and the Balkans,
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 10:09 PM
Feb 2013

"Spark" was a proud, tough, down and dirty grunt, he was also gay and firmly in the closet as this was the Don't Ask Don't Tell Army, and as infantry he knew it would be "most bad juju" if anyone knew. He remained in the Army after I got out and I learned of his death, in combat, in the Al Anbar Province in 2005.
He served with utmost pride and dedication for, and gave all to this nation, but at his burial, his partner, the man he had planned to spend his life with, was not allowed to receive his flag, nor the thanks of a grateful nation.
Our only consolation was he was buried, in full uniform, with Freedom Rings on his dog tags, and a picture of Judy Garland in his pocket (an inside joke between a few of us).
I am so glad that now hopefully ALL spouses will given the same respect, honors and recognition.

tpsbmam

(3,927 posts)
6. Thank you for sharing "Spark"'s story with us.
Mon Feb 11, 2013, 03:29 PM
Feb 2013

Is there anything to be done posthumously? We owe Spark the honor. I'm so glad you honored him here, though. (I LOVE the image of Judy Garland's picture in his pocket!! )

ETA P.S. The heart's for you....and Spark.

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