Pentagon To Move Quickly On Gay-Marriage Benefits

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with reporters at the Pentagon, June 26, 2013. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Pentagon To Extend Benefits To Gay Couples In Wake Of DOMA Ruling -- Washington Times

The U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on Wednesday has cleared the way for military members and their same-sex domestic partners to receive the same federal benefits as heterosexual married couples.

“The Department of Defense intends to make the same benefits available to all military spouses — regardless of sexual orientation — as soon as possible. That is now the law, and it is the right thing to do,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement.

After a 25-day waiting period for Supreme Court decisions, the Pentagon will make available to heterosexual and homosexual married couples benefits such as access to on-base services, health care and accompanied assignments, in which military personnel travel with their spouses.

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More News On The Pentagon Moving Quickly On Gay-Marriage Benefits

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Pentagon moves to extend benefits to gay spouses -- USA Today
Pentagon Extends Benefits to Same-Sex Spouses -- Wall Street Journal