DOD rejects DODEA's new policy on same-sex partner transfers

[unhappycamper]

DOD rejects DODEA's new policy on same-sex partner transfers
By Travis J. Tritten, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Department of Defense has rejected an attempt by DODEA to recognize same-sex relationships when transferring overseas teachers.

The decision was made Friday to quash the policy created last month because it conflicts with the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1993 law that limits the federal government from providing benefits to gay couples, according to a DOD statement supplied to Stars and Stripes.

Stars and Stripes reported last month that the Department of Defense Education Activity and two teachers unions had signed off on giving same-sex teaching couples the same consideration as married heterosexual teaching couples when requesting joint transfers to new schools. The policy, which also extended the benefit to unmarried but committed straight couples, was disapproved during a routine DOD labor agreement review, according to the statement.

“The department supports extending federal benefits to same-sex partners of federal civilian employees, (but) it must do so consistent with governing federal laws,” the statement said.

The review was done by the DOD Civilian Personnel Management Service, according to the department.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=68046

[sui generis]

1. to be fair it does sound like their hands are tied

by the letter of the law.

What I would have liked to have seen is a workaround or other interim suggestion. For instance, I would have qualified joint transfer to the same school as not the same thing as a "federal benefit", and allowed it pending further review.

A federal benefit should be whatever you pay or deduct income taxes on. A joint transfer is not such a thing, in and of itself unless and until the tax filers can file federal taxes jointly.

But I'm innovative that way . . . that's why I don't work for the gummint.