U.S.
military personnel who are legally married to same-sex spouses would
gain full spousal and family benefits under legislation proposed in both
the House and Senate last week. In the Senate, the Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act is named after New Hampshire
National Guardsman Charlie Morgan, who died from breast cancer earlier
this month. Her widow, now a single parent to the couple's 5-year-old
daughter, is ineligible for survivor benefits.
"The story of Charlie
Morgan offers a powerful example of why we need immediate action to end
LGBT discrimination in our military," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.,
who introduced the legislation along with co-sponsor Sen. Kirsten
Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
