Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Oklahoma's Mary Fallin Halts Processing Of Benefits Rather Than Serve Gay Couples



Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, a Republican, has announced that state-owned National Guard bases will no longer process military spouse benefit applications.

The announcement came after Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ordered 9 states to comply with federal policy on gay couples.

The Pentagon announced in August that it would recognize the legal marriages of gay troops following a Supreme Court ruling that gutted the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited federal agencies from recognizing such unions.

As of September 3, servicemembers in a marriage with a member of the same sex could apply for spousal benefits.

But National Guard bases in several states refused to process the requests and instead encouraged gay troops to enroll at bases operated by the Department of Defense.

“Oklahoma law is clear,” Fallin said in a written statement. “The state of Oklahoma does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor does it confer marriage benefits to same-sex couples. The decision reached today allows the National Guard to obey Oklahoma law without violating federal rules or policies. It protects the integrity of our state constitution and sends a message to the federal government that they cannot simply ignore our laws or the will of the people.”

Three states – Indiana, Florida and West Virginia – have said that they will comply. Other states involved include Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.

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