Pentagon Extends Benefits to Same Sex Couples

[big_dog]

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Hours after the Supreme Court ruling, the Pentagon announced that it would move to quickly extend all benefits given to opposite sex spouses to same-sex couples including medical, dental and housing allowances.

Defense officials also said that same sex spouses would have the same rights to be buried alongside war veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

“The Department of Defense, will move very swiftly, expeditiously, on implementing the law, the decision of the Supreme Court,” said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. “We think it’s the right decision, and we’re looking forward to taking that decision and implementing the required next steps.”

The Pentagon also said within six to 12 weeks same-sex spouses will be give official identification cards that will entitle them to equal access to military bases, child care programs, military commissaries, gyms and other facilities open to military families.



Read more: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/06/26/pentagon-extends-benefits-to-same-sex-spouses/?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories

[Cha]

1. Excellent news! thank you, big dog

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[Jefferson23]

3. Well, there ya go..get to it. Good news. K&R

[William769]

4. Kick & highly recommended.

[sheshe2]

5. thank you big_dog,

and welcome to DU~

Equality! Sweet

K&R~

[Lasher]

6. Good news.

This is a great day for homosexuals, and for those of us who empathize with them.

[Agschmid]

7. Woot!

[AnnieBW]

8. It's a Minor Miracle

People on DU applauding the Pentagon for doing something right!

[aquart]

9. Yes!

[David__77]

10. Having grown up in a military family, this is so interesting.

I'm gay, and my father was a long-term NCO in the air force - Vietnam era. Having grown up around bases and the whole culture, this is so, so interesting. I'm not saying that it will fundamentally change that military culture, but it sure seems like a big change superficially.