Gay Service Member's Next Obstacle

The repeal of the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy doesn't mean same-sex partners of gay and lesbian troops can shop at the commissary, move into base family housing or get health care through the military.

Instead, last week's end of the policy prohibiting openly gay or lesbian service members from serving in the military brings almost no change for them when it comes to the extensive benefits offered to America's troops and their families.

The next goal of gay and lesbian groups is obtaining key benefits for same-sex partners, such as health care coverage, housing allowances, base family housing, shopping privileges, relocation assistance and family separation allowances.

"That's obviously the clear next step," said David McKean, legal director for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

The network is a nonprofit organization devoted to ensuring parity for an estimated 66,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender troops.

The military has a two-tiered benefit system, McKean said.

"There are those service members whose spouses and families receive the full military benefits that the armed services provide," he said. "Then there are those whose families and spouses don't, and they're left to fend for themselves."

The Pentagon, however, is reviewing the possible extension of benefits that don't have eligibility spelled out by law, said Army Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton, chief of staff of the Pentagon's DADT repeal implementation team.

The DADT repeal has been in effect for less than a week throughout the military, including Goodfellow Air Force Base.

The repeal was transparent at Goodfellow, and the base hasn't had any reported concerns or issues, said Kent Cummins, base chief of public affairs.

"That can be attributed to our leadership being very proactive and providing the necessary training and information to all members of the Goodfellow community," Cummins said.

The repeal hasn't changed what the base does: train firefighters and intelligence professionals, he said.

"We remain focused on the mission," Cummins said.

The repeal has had little effect on policies and procedures since the base already was sexual-orientation neutral, he said.

"We have and will continue to treat all Goodfellow members with dignity and respect," Cummins said.

All service members, regardless of sexual orientation, can seek benefits information and guidance from their military personnel flight or staff judge advocate office, he said.

The repeal does make some difference in access to service-member designated benefits. Gay and lesbian troops can designate same-sex partners without fear of being kicked out of the military post-DADT.

A service member can confer these benefits on anyone: spouse, father, mother, friend or neighbor.

They include the death gratuity, a $100,000 tax-free payment from the military in the case of a service member's death while on active duty or in certain reserve statuses.

Service members also may designate beneficiaries for group life insurance and the Thrift Savings Plan, McKean said.

They can appoint a caregiver for their children in a family care plan, and that could be a same-sex partner.

Department of Defense regulations determine who can receive other categories of benefits, including joint-duty assignments, on-base housing and shopping privileges at commissaries and exchanges, he said.

"We are urging them to extend them to same-sex spouses," McKean said.

Aaron Belkin is among those who believe extending a full range of benefits to same-sex partners won't be a long process like the repeal of DADT.

"Granting partner benefits would save the military money," said Belkin, author of "How We Won: Progressive Lessons from the Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'"

"They don't give those benefits out of charity to straight people," he said. "They do it because it increases retention."

Canada's military extends a full range of benefits to same-sex partners, Belkin said.

The Pentagon's estimated tab for repealing DADT, including extending some same-sex partner benefits and training programs, is as much as $60 million annually.

Military officials also estimated a savings of $20 million since gay and lesbian troops would no longer be drummed out of the military because of their sexual orientation.

More than 14,000 service members were discharged under DADT.

But the Defense of Marriage Act stands firmly in the way of other benefits, such as housing allowances for dependents and military health insurance.

For federal purposes, the 1996 law defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, and a spouse as someone of the opposite sex.

Legislation has been introduced in Congress to repeal the law.

Standing firmly behind the Defense of Marriage Act is the West Texas delegation, all Republicans.

San Angelo Rep. Mike Conaway, Rep. Mac Thornberry and Rep. Randy Neugebauer voted against the DADT repeal in the first place.

They stand ready to vote against a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Conaway, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said he'll work to defend the law.

"I know there's a bit of a movement to repeal it, but I don't think that movement will go very far in this Republican-led House," said Conaway, of Midland.

Thornberry, HASC vice chairman, said he believes in the basic premise of the Defense of Marriage Act.

"Government action and taxpayer dollars should be used to reinforce the traditional American family, and with or without the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' I still believe that to be true," said Thornberry, of Clarendon.

He said he doesn't support extending military spousal benefits to same-sex partners.

Neugebauer, of Lubbock, said he strongly believes "in the traditional definition of marriage — a legal union between a man and a woman."

gosanangelo.com

Texas regional reporter Trish Choate can be reached at 202-408-2709 orchoatet@shns.com.

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