So, because something could have happened, that never did.
This isn't directly on point to my previous posts, I know, but I don't agree with this, and I wanted to respond. "Something"
did happen for those servicemembers currently on active duty who were around during DADT.
Indeed, those individuals were forced to hide their true identities in order to preserve their careers. That's "something." It's "something" that a heterosexual never had to do.
However, the reasons for the free leave appear to center around the practicalities of obtaining a civil marriage license as opposed to correcting for past discrimination. If you read the whole of my previous posts, you'll see that I tend to agree about 10 days perhaps being too generous.
The reason I don't care, though, and I speak for myself only, is that 10 days of free leave seems a small price to pay for the previous discrimination. As I said, correcting past discrimination does not appear to be the official reason for the policy, but for me personally, it's why the free leave doesn't bug me. If you don't agree with me, that's fine, and I honestly don't want to argue it too much. Even taking into consideration the lack of availablity for a civil marriage license in all states, I'll concede that with the high amount of days, there is some degree of inequity in the policy. I just don't care.
Disparity exists throughout the military in various forms, and it usually is to take into account for differing circumstances of people. Pilots and parachutists risk more than others, so they get additional money per month. People of higher rank have greater responsibilities, and they are hence paid more per month than those of lower ranks. People who live in the DC Metro area have to pay more in rent than those in North Dakota, so they get a higher amount of locality pay in the BAH. I think it's fair, even though people are treated differently.
Gay people can't get a civil marriage license in every state, so commanders have the ability to grant free leave to them for that purpose if they are more than 100 miles away from a state which allows it. The 10 days are probably too high, and hence some will see it as unfair. I can see the point. However, and this is only sprog talking, the idea of some free leave, at least in my view, is ok.