8 servicemembers file lawsuit seeking benefits for same-sex spouses

[The Straight Story]

8 servicemembers file lawsuit seeking benefits for same-sex spouses

WASHINGTON — A group of eight gay servicemembers sued the federal government Thursday for military and veterans benefits for their same-sex spouses, arguing that ignoring their marriages amounts to discrimination.

The move comes a little more than a month after the end of the military’s controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, which for 18 years prohibited gay troops from publicly acknowledging their sexual orientation.

Since the change, activists have said they’d turn their attention to overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions for purposes of federal benefits.

Officials from the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have cited the law as the reason they will not extend housing, medical and education benefits to same-sex military couples. Those behind Thursday’s lawsuit say that cheats troops out of thousands of dollars in benefits, and creates inequality among gay and straight troops.

http://www.stripes.com/news/8-servicemembers-file-lawsuit-seeking-benefits-for-same-sex-spouses-1.158925

[Cid_B]

1. Saw that one comin....

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. Good. K&R.

[TriMera]

3. K&R. n/t

[jerseygal]

4. This is an example of our troops fighting for freedom

for all Americans.

Good for these service members. I applaud them for their service to America and for this lawsuit.