Justice Department adopts new same-sex marriage equal rights policy

[DonViejo]

Source: Washington Post

The Justice Department on Monday will instruct all of its employees across the country, for the first time, to give lawful same-sex marriages sweeping equal protection under the law in every program it administers from courthouse trials to prison visits to the compensation of surviving spouses of public safety officers.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/justice-department-to-give-married-same-sex-couples-sweeping-equal-protection/2014/02/08/36eafcae-90cc-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html

[OKNancy]

1. New York Times article

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — The federal government will soon treat married same-sex couples the same as heterosexual couples when they file for bankruptcy, testify in court or visit family in prison.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. was preparing to issue policies aimed at eliminating the distinction between same-sex and opposite-sex married couples in the federal criminal justice system, according to excerpts from a speech prepared for a Saturday event organized by a prominent gay-rights group.

“In every courthouse, in every proceeding and in every place where a member of the Department of Justice stands on behalf of the United States, they will strive to ensure that same-sex marriages receive the same privileges, protections and rights as opposite-sex marriages,” Mr. Holder’s prepared remarks said, according to the excerpts circulated by the Justice Department.

The changes were set in motion last year when the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional to refuse federal benefits to married same-sex couples, a ruling that Mr. Holder supported.

( rest at the link)

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/us/more-federal-privileges-to-extend-to-same-sex-couples.html?smid=tw-bna&_r=0

[warrant46]

4. And about time !!

[shenmue]

2. Yay!

[hrmjustin]

3. K&R!

[bigwillq]

5. Great news!

K and R

[Tx4obama]

6. Kick n/t

[blkmusclmachine]

7. Too little, too late