DADT gone, but unequal treatment of gays still here

[nadinbrzezinski]

Gay military spouses sacrifice just as much as their straight brothers and sisters. We support our partners. We relocate with them when they receive new orders and in turn we give up our jobs, friends and lives to support their careers. Despite this, we are denied the support and safety nets afforded our straight counterparts. With DADT gone, we should no longer suffer in silence.

The military benefits system needs to change. If the benefits currently unavailable to gay military families were similarly unavailable to Jewish, black or female service members, I have no doubt the situation would be rectified immediately. There needs to be a public outcry, and it needs to come from active duty gay personnel, their partners, families, friends, colleagues and the public at large. For this to happen, the public has to see and understand that a significant proportion of the men and women in uniform protecting them are gay.

In the coming days and weeks, I urge all gay military personnel and their partners to come out, where appropriate, to their families, co-workers, even their Facebook friends. Do this not to share the innermost details of your private life, but to begin the fight for the recognition and rewards you deserve as true American heroes.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/20/opinion/watts-dadt-equality/index.html

[sarge43]

1. Until early 70's, servicewomen weren't allowed dependent benefits

for civilian husbands. SOS (same old shit)

If the couple is legally married, they are entitled to all the benefits.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Yup, why it never ends

[DURHAM D]

2. Good grief.

I just gave this a rec and it is still Zero. What is wrong with people?

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. To be honest, I don't give a damn anymore

:hi:

[tkmorris]

6. I gave it a rec

It's worthy of one.

[sarge43]

7. Me too. Probably a gutless troll hitting the unrec. n/t

[Zorra]

19. The Loyal Order of Ostriches automatically unrecs any post made by some

DU members who they disagree with regardless of the content of the post.

It's actually a Democratic badge of honor to be targeted by them.

[tkmorris]

5. It's simple. Repeal DOMA

There will be no gay spousal benefits in the military until that is accomplished.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. I am mostly agnostic on this site anymore

nooz... some technical info that can be found on the web... otherwise, I am agnostic

[Zywiec]

9. You're exactly right. DOMA needs to be repealed first

before the military will recognize the partners.

[Pab Sungenis]

10. Exactly.

As I said yesterday morning we won the battle but the war rages on.

[Ian David]

11. Who Unrec'd this? n/t

[RKP5637]

12. Recommend!!! n/t

[cate94]

13. K & R

[William769]

14. Blue discharges were started in 1916 Then became rampant during & right after WWII.

This is only a battle in our war for equal rights.

Recommended.

[William769]

15. ...

:kick:

[yardwork]

16. K&R

[Utopian Leftist]

17. K&R n/t.

[Ignis]

18. K&R

[Overseas]

20. K&R.

[SpankMe]

21. Similar for African Americans

Big time civil rights laws in the late 60's, Jim Crow era laws and customs gone and obsolete, yet anti-black racism is still a huge factor in society today.

DADT repeal is a stepping stone laid in the right direction. It'll be a while before stuff really changes for the better.

[TriMera]

22. K&R. n/t