The Pentagon has officially extended some military benefits to same-sex partners, but said provisions such as medical coverage would not be offered to gay troops' spouses due to legal barriers.
[...]
The move, which defence officials had signaled last week, will provide same-sex partners with military identity cards, hospital visitation rights, access to youth and education programmes and financial compensation in the event their military spouse dies, a Pentagon memo said.
[...]
Panetta acknowledged that federal law, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, remained an obstacle to extending the full array of military benefits.
"One of the legal limitations to providing all benefits at this time is the Defence of Marriage Act, which is still the law of the land," Panetta said.
alJazeera
[...]
The move, which defence officials had signaled last week, will provide same-sex partners with military identity cards, hospital visitation rights, access to youth and education programmes and financial compensation in the event their military spouse dies, a Pentagon memo said.
[...]
Panetta acknowledged that federal law, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, remained an obstacle to extending the full array of military benefits.
"One of the legal limitations to providing all benefits at this time is the Defence of Marriage Act, which is still the law of the land," Panetta said.
alJazeera
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