Pentagon surveys troops on DADT (again)

[Lamplighter]

NY Times
JEREMY W. PETERS
Published: July 9, 2013

Effects of Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage Start Rippling Out Through Government

<snip>In recent days, officials from all three branches of government have notified
their workers of the expanded eligibility standards for spousal benefits.
<snip>
But with the Supreme Court having the final say in the matter,
the House had few options but to notify all 435 representatives
and their staff members in all 50 states that they have 60 days to enroll
their same-sex spouses in an array of benefits like vision, dental, long-term care and survivors’ annuities.

“I’m pleased that they’re proceeding, but I don’t think they had a choice,”
said Representative David Cicilline, Democrat of Rhode Island, who is one of the seven openly gay, lesbian or bisexual members of Congress.
“I think people expect that once the court has spoken,
even though they might disagree with the particular decision,
it is the law of the land. And it’s our responsibility,
especially those in government, to honor and follow the law.”
<snip>
The Senate and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts
have also sent out advisories in recent days pointing to a directive issued
by the Office of Personnel Management, the executive branch’s human resources division,
affirming the rights of same-sex couples to receive federal benefits, regardless of their state of residency.

BUT... don't be complacent that all is well about employment...

The only movement will come from the Senate,
where on Wednesday the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
is expected to approve a bill that would extend to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
the federal employment protections against discrimination that are currently available
to people based on characteristics like race and religion.

There is no federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace
based on sexual orientation; 29 states also do not have such a law.

[Lamplighter]

There are still questions about which State government
would be issuing the sam-sex marriage license,
the military may again be leading the way for
a final USSC decision to reach ttrue nation-wide equality.

KFOX14.com
Genevieve Curtis
7/8/2013

Same Sex marriages could be performed on Fort Bliss

FORT BLISS, Texas —
In the future, gay soldiers may be able to get married on post after
the Supreme Court's historic decision to repeal most of the
Defense of Marriage Act last month, Fort Bliss authorities said.

The decision would mean that a military Chaplin, employed by the federal government
and working on a federal installation would have no grounds to deny same sex couples a marriage.
<snip>
Fort Bliss Spokesperson Maj. Joe Buccino said it is something the
Department of Defense is working on, whether a federally funded entity
can offer marriages in a chapel, performed by a military Chaplin.
The answer might very well be, yes.

Buccino said they know one of the requirements would be that
at least one of the members of the couple be a solider.
No date has been set for when same-sex marriages could start on posts,
but it will likely take at least 90 days.
<snip>

"If Texas, doesn't allow it, I think Fort Bliss should," said Sargent Jason Garcia.

"I think it's important that all people are treated fairly and all soldiers are treated fairly.
I know that the army is working very hard to make sure that happens in a variety of way[s].
So its progress and were always happy to see progress 



[xoxoxoBruce]

Civilian clergy are licensed by the state to perform a civil ceremony along with the ceremony of their faith, and file the proper paperwork with the state.
Do military clergy have the same arrangement with civil authorities?

[Lamplighter]

The Bill for Federal protection in the workplace for gays, lesbians,
bisexuals and transgender passed out of Committee today !

The vote was bipartisan 15 to 7, with 4 Republicans.
...Hatch (UT), Murkowski (AK), Kirk (IL) voting in favor
The Bill is co-sponsored by Susan Collins (R-ME)

See my earlier post today, and a more recent article in the NY Times.

This Bill was originally introduced in the Senate in 2007.
Who can say the Senate is not a deliberative body.

[Lamplighter]

Back to the PA lawsuit (as posted above) ...

Philly.com
REGINA MEDINA
July 10, 2013
Kane won't defend Pa. in gay-marriage suit, sources say

Attorney General Kathleen Kane is expected to announce Thursday that
her office won't defend the state in a federal lawsuit
that challenges Pennsylvania's ban on gay marriage,
the Daily News has learned.
<snip>

Pennsylvania is the sole state in the Northeast without same-sex marriage or a civil-union statute.

But as in California's Prop 8, a third party could step forward to defend the lawsuit;
however, the USSC effectively ruled against them, based on a technicality of "standing"

[Lamplighter]

This is a major milestone... that started with the military.

National Public Radio
Eyder Peralta
8/19/13
3835

IRS Will Recognize All Legal Same-Sex Marriages

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service announced
on Thursday that when it comes to federal tax purposes, same-sex couples
who have legally married will be treated the same as straight married couples,
no matter what state they reside in now.

The move is one in a series from the Obama administration to come in compliance
with a Supreme Court decision invalidating a key provision of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
"Today's ruling provides certainty and clear, coherent tax filing
guidance for all legally married same-sex couples nationwide,"
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in a statement.
"It provides access to benefits, responsibilities and protections
under federal tax law that all Americans deserve. This ruling also assures
legally married same-sex couples that they can move freely throughout the country
knowing that their federal filing status will not change."

The IRS says couples can begin filing taxes as married in 2013,
and generally, same-sex couples could file amended returns for 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Talking heads are now saying that for people in states that do not recognize same sex marriages,
"it pays for people to travel to a state that does recognize same sex marriages to be married".

Once again, changes within the military have been forefront in changes within civilian life.

[Lamplighter]

When Jack Kennedy was running for President, he had to go to great lengths
to convince the public that as a Catholic, he would not let his personal, religious beliefs
interfere with his duties as President of the United States.
The public believed him and he was elected.

Now we have the Republican Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christy, doing just the opposite.
Christy has publicly said he is Catholic and does not personally believe in same sex marriage,
but is doing all that he can as Governor to stall, stop, and prohibit such marriages in NJ.


The Jersey Journal
Christopher Baxter/The Star-Ledger The Star-Ledger
10/11/13

N.J. judge denies Christie administration request to delay same-sex marriage

TRENTON — A state Superior Court judge today denied the Christie administration's
request to delay same-sex marriages in New Jersey beyond Oct. 21
while it appeals the matter to the state Supreme Court, saying that such a move
would infringe on couples' rights.

But the administration quickly responded by requesting the same delay
from the state Appellate Division instead, according to the state Attorney General's Office.
It is unclear when the court will consider the motion.

The administration intends to appeal the ruling directly to the state Supreme Court
to prevent the marriages, bypassing the normal procedure through the appellate courts.
In the meantime, it had asked Jacobson to delay marriages until the appeal was decided.

Both houses of the NJ legislature previously approved a Bill to make NJ law conform with the USSC decision.
It only needed Christy's signature to take effect.
But he followed his religious beliefs and tried to make it a public referendum.
Now Christy is using the mechanisms of the State to enforce his own religious beliefs.

I don't give a fig what this Republican Governor believes personally,
but as a presumed candidate for President in 2016 he should be held
to the same "Kennedy" standard.