Since the Supreme Court overturned a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act, many outlets have run news stories about homosexuals obtaining military benefits, some published by the military itself.
The US Army made a point of publishing a press release highlighting that “Same-sex spouses of Soldiers now receiving benefits.” It also reiterated the controversial “gay leave” policy:
Soldiers assigned to duty stations within Read more
The Department of Defense announced it would grant homosexuals “spousal benefits” starting in September.
After a review of the department’s benefit policies following the Supreme Court’s ruling that Section Three of [DOMA] is unconstitutional…, the Defense Department will make spousal and family benefits available no later than Sept. 3, 2013, regardless of sexual orientation, as long as service member-sponsors provide a valid marriage certificate.
Because some homosexual troops might be in Read more
Recently, the Catholic church came out in support of a coalition of chaplain endorsers advocating for religious freedom protections in the US military. Combined, the groups represent the overwhelming majority of faiths of US military servicemembers (and, in fact, the United States).
In apparent response to that broad unity, a US News and World Report article tried to paint a picture of a divided front:
Some evangelical groups are gearing up for a fight on military chaplains and same-sex marriage while others say they’ll seek Read more
Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council has said Secretary Panetta’s decision to grant specific rights only to homosexuals “qualif[ies] as discrimination:”
“I think this does qualify as discrimination against opposite sex couples who are essentially in the same position, unmarried by living together,” said Peter Sprigg, senior fellow at the Family Research Council.
The FoxNews article accurately notes the DoD described this as a perceived “inequity” in the same policy that assessed DADT repeal implementation in 2010: Read more
Multiple groups have filed Supreme Court briefs in support of the Defense of Marriage Act:
The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty filed a brief co-signed by 21 endorsers representing more than 2,500 US military chaplains. The CARL brief accurately notes US troops in general — not just chaplains — will be affected by the “burden on religious liberty” should the military recognize homosexual “marriage.” CARL had a fairly blunt summary:
the military has no tolerance for racists, so service members who are openly racist are not service members for long. And if the traditional religious views on marriage and family become the constitutional equivalent of racism, Read more
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20 (ESV)
As part of the effort to ensure everyone gets treated “with equal dignity and respect,” outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced access to military benefits available only to homosexuals:
It is a matter of fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country…Today, I am pleased to announce that after a thorough and deliberate review, the department will extend additional benefits to same-sex partners of service members.
According to the SecDef memo (PDF),
These [new] benefits shall be extended to the same-sex domestic partners and, where applicable, children of same-sex domestic partners, once the Service member and their same-sex domestic partner have signed a declaration attesting to the existence of their committed relationship.
The new DoD policy emphasizes these benefits are available only to homosexuals. Heterosexuals cannot sign the same statement and Read more
If DADT repeal was such a benign ‘non-event,’ why are incidents like this erupting into scandals more than a year later?
The top lawyer in the US Marine Corps has reportedly told the Marine legal community that, to avoid “a stir” as seen at Fort Bragg, spouse groups operating on Marine installations must accept homosexuals:
The memo noted that spouses clubs and various other private institutions are allowed to operate on bases only if they adhere to a non-discrimination policy encompassing race, religion, gender, age, disability and national origin.
“We would interpret a spouses club’s decision to exclude a same-sex spouse as sexual discrimination because the exclusion was based upon the spouse’s sex,” the memo said.
This appears to be legal advice within the legal community and, as noted before, military lawyers do not make decisions about military policy (nor are they always right). However, the article does not cite a Marine policymaker Read more
Tracey Cooper-Harris, a US Army veteran, has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Though the precise cause of MS is unknown, the VA determined her disease was service connected, qualifying her for disability benefits. However, her request for spousal benefits was denied because she is in a homosexual relationship not recognized by federal law. She has now filed a lawsuit as a result.
The couple’s lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles, argues that a federal law and military policy that resulted in the denial of benefits are discriminatory and unconstitutional.
If the couple were straight they would receive Read more