Gay troops prep for September marriage spree, put wedding parties on ice

[joeybee12]

September marks nuptial season across part of the American military as gay and lesbian troops cash in new, Pentagon-granted leaves to tie the knot.

Starting Tuesday, the Pentagon is allowing gay troops to take travel leaves for up to seven days — or as many 10 days for those stationed abroad — as long as those service members live 100-plus miles away from a state that allows same-sex marriages.

Scores of service members are draining their savings just to pay for airfare, hotels and rental cars — common, logistical necessities for obtaining a marriage certificate in one of the 13 states where same-sex marriage is legal, advocates say.

While many of these unions may lack champagne-soaked celebrations, they are fueled by a practical brand of urgency: gaining immediate, military-family benefits, said Stephen Peters, executive director of the American Military Partner Association (AMPA).

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/03/20235244-gay-troops-prep-for-september-marriage-spree-put-wedding-parties-on-ice?lite

[dbackjon]

1. The Military should not make one drone

And use that money to pay for the trips.

[MNBrewer]

2. There was shockingly little sympathy for the troops who incur the extra costs

associated with having to go to a marriage-equality jurisdiction to get married. I was disappointed and disgusted when I brought it up a little while back.