Married gays, lesbians still viewed as ‘single' by military

[unhappycamper]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/01/2386559/married-gays-lesbians-still-viewed.html

Married gays, lesbians still viewed as ‘single' by military
TOM PHILPOTT; Contributing Writer
Published: Dec. 1, 2012 at 12:05 a.m. PST

With repeal last year of the “don’t ask, don’t tell law,” many military people, including senior leaders, assumed that married gay and lesbian couples had gained not only job security but also equality in allowances, benefits and access to family support programs. That assumption is wrong.

Since the law took effect 14 months ago, the Department of Defense has kept in place policies that bar spouses of same-gender couples from having military identification cards, shopping on base, living in base housing or participating in certain family support programs.

Repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell, says Army Lt. Col. Heather Mack, 39, “simply just prevented me from losing my job. It didn’t do anything else.”

~snip~

If these spouses could at least be issued ID cards, and gain access to base amenities, she says, it would go a long way to improving quality of life.

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Of course they treat us like shit. They are Petreaus types, adulterous fucks who need

to point fingers and mistreat others as a smokescreen for their own actions.

[dlwickham]

2. as long as DOMA is law

the military can't really do anything to help these spouses

[Creideiki]

5. Not exactly true.

The State Department allows at least some recognition for same-sex spouses. The military could easily change the regulations on family housing that it could apply to people who are not married at any number of levels--Pentagon review, Service review, Base review. Also, the Defense Department could issue ID cards to anyone they choose for access to the commissary and exchange services.

All I want as a government civilian employee is being able to cover my partner. I can get dental coverage only through our Union.

It would take some creativity and courage. Neither of which is common among high level of the bureaucracy.

[dlwickham]

6. what recognition does the State Department grant

[RKP5637]

3. It will be an endless struggle for equality, even if legal. Many in this society fight an

endless battle for equality against authoritarians and even against those that should support equality. To me, it's endemic to humans to often force inequality on others along with 'feel-good' persecution.

[Old Union Guy]

4. Only a federal law establishing full equality for all can fix this.

This is not just a military question.