Luigi59
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
- Messages
- 4,566
'bout time, but still not good enough IMHO.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...0e62f4-746f-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_story.html
Time for SCOTUS to strike down the entire DOMA as a clear violation of the EPC of the 14th Amendment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...0e62f4-746f-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_story.html
The Pentagon announced Monday that it would extend additional benefits to same-sex military couples, including access to base facilities and groups as well as joint assignments, the latest move by the Obama administration to heed calls from gays and lesbians pressing for change.
Activists hailed the move as a meaningful step toward full equality, which they say will remain elusive unless a 1996 federal law that defines marriage as a heterosexual union is repealed. The additional 20 benefits do not include health-care coverage for same-sex spouses or on-base housing privileges.
Defense officials said they are studying whether they may be able to extend certain housing benefits without violating the Defense of Marriage Act, which restricts the Pentagon from extending more than 100 benefits to same-sex couples.
“It is a matter of fundamental equality that we provide similar benefits to all those men and women in uniform who serve their country,” outgoing Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said in a statement.
He expressed regret that the 1996 DOMA law does not allow the Pentagon to do more, adding: “While it will not change during my tenure as secretary of defense, I foresee a time when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to servicemembers and their dependents, irrespective of sexual orientation.”
Time for SCOTUS to strike down the entire DOMA as a clear violation of the EPC of the 14th Amendment.