Gay troops challenge DOMA in federal lawsuit

[xchrom]

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/10/27/gay-troops-challenge-doma-in-federal-lawsuit/

Gay troops and veterans joined the fight against the Defense of Marriage Act in court on Thursday by filing new litigation challenging the law on the basis that it precludes service members with same-sex partners from receiving crucial benefits.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network filed the lawsuit, called McLaughlin v. Panetta, behalf of eight plaintiff couples in the District Court of Massachusetts. In addition to challenging DOMA, the litigation also challenges Title 10, Title 32 and Title 38 of U.S. Code, which prevents the military from providing benefits to the partners of gay troops.

Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN’s executive director, said during a news conference at the National Press Club that troops involved in the lawsuit are ”seeking equal recognition, benefits and family support for their same-sex spouses that the services and the Department of Veterans Affairs provides to their straight married peers.”

“The case we are bringing is about one thing, plain and simple,” Sarvis said. “It’s about justice for gay and lesbian service members and their families in our armed forces rendering the same military service, making the same sacrifices and taking the same risks to keep our nation secure at home and abroad.”

[William769]

1. Bottom line is if the opposition loses on DOMA, it's game over.

We will be their equal period. Now we all know they can't have that. With the end of DOMA also will come equal footing on that slippery slope they keep trying to push us off of.

Just imagine all the equalities tied to marriage. AFter marriage equality we can work on the little stuff.

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