Texas National Guard to limit benefits to 5 bases to avoid recognizing gay marriages [View all]
Taking a page out of Oklahoma’s book, the Texas National Guard plans to require all spouses — gay and straight — to travel to one of five federally owned facilities to sign up for benefits, according to an LGBT military families group.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the military to treat all legally married couples equally in August, pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act. However, the Texas National Guard has refused to provide ID cards or process housing allowances for gay spouses at its facilities, saying they must instead travel to federal bases to apply for benefits.
Texas officials have taken the position that processing the benefits applications from gay spouses would violate the state’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
On Tuesday, the Texas National Guard announced the Defense Department has approved a new procedure to resolve the conflict.
More at http://www.lonestarq.com/lgbt-families-group-slams-texas-national-guards-new-benefits-enrollment-policy/ .
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