First American Woman in Space Dies - Life-Long Partner to Receive No Benefits

[lame54]

http://eclectablog.com/2012/07/astronaut-and-physicist-sally-ride-passed-away-this-week-her-partner-to-receive-no-federal-benefits.html

Astronaut and physicist Sally Ride passed away this week, her partner to receive NO federal benefits
by Eclectablog on JULY 24, 2012 in LGBT

THIS is how we treat our heroes?

Astronaut and Stanford physicist Sally Ride passed away this week from pancreatic cancer. She was the first American* woman and the youngest American of either gender to travel into space. My family has a small but important (to us) connection with Dr. Ride. When my daughter was in grade school, she had a project where they dressed as their heroes and, during an open house, played the role of their hero, answering questions and chatting with the parents that visited. My daughter chose Sally Ride and was there, dressed in a blue jumpsuit and sporting my motorcycle helmet, a third grade astronaut. Her picture even ended up in the local newspaper.

Since her hero was still alive, I suggested that she write Dr. Ride a letter and include a copy of the newspaper article. She did and Dr. Ride sent her back a really terrific letter along with a signed 8½” x 11? color photo, her official NASA picture, inscribed with “Reach for the stars, Arleigh!”.

When Dr. Ride, a lesbian, passed away this week, she left behind her partner of 27 years, Dr. Tam O’Shaughnessy. Because of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), O’Shaughnessy will receive no federal benefits, benefits she would receive if she were a man. Despite their life-long partnership, she is treated as if she were just an acquaintance.

The two met when they were 12 years old...

[HopeHoops]

1. That's just so wrong. Pardon me. I've got some letters to send to Congress and Obama.

[HopeHoops]

2. Comments sent.

[Brickbat]

3. This is a goddamn shame.