“Secretary Panetta’s decision today answers the call President Obama
issued in his inaugural address to complete our nation's journey toward
equality, acknowledging the equal service and equal sacrifice of our gay
and lesbian service members and their families. We thank him for
getting us a few steps closer to full equality - steps that will
substantively improve the quality of life of gay and lesbian military
families,” said Robinson.
OutServe-SLDN has called on the Department of Defense to
issue these benefits for more than two years. In recent weeks, the
organization has increased pressure on the Pentagon by calling on
Secretary Panetta's presumptive successor, former Nebraska Senator Chuck
Hagel, to commit to offering the full slate of benefits available under
DOMA upon taking office. Senator Hagel did so in a letter to Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) last month and reiterated his commitment during confirmation testimony.
The package of recognition, support, and benefits - which includes the
issuance of military identification cards, access to family support
initiatives, and joint duty assignments - does not address the larger
issues of health care, housing, and survivors’ benefits restricted by
DOMA and other federal statutes. The Supreme Court is set to consider
DOMA next month, and is expected to issue a ruling later this year.
“As encouraging as this step is for our military families, the passing
yesterday of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan and the
needs of her family - needs in danger of going largely unmet because of
the Defense of Marriage Act - reminds us of how far we still are from
true equality.” said Robinson.
Morgan passed away on Sunday from breast cancer after a two-year battle with the disease.She came out publicly on MSNBC on
September 20, 2011, the day of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal, and
became a nationally recognized advocate against the so-called Defense of
Marriage Act (DOMA), which bars her wife, Karen, from receiving
military, Social Security and other benefits to help her care for their
five-year-old daughter Casey Elena. The Morgans are plaintiffs in a lawsuitbrought
by SLDN in October 2011 challenging DOMA and other federal statutes
that prevent the military from providing equal recognition and support
to same-sex military spouses. They currently do not receive the same
protections as their straight, married peers, and Karen is not entitled
to survivor's benefits in the wake of CW2 Morgan's death.
“In light of Charlie Morgan's untimely passing and the Pentagon's
long-awaited move toward equal treatment, the harm DOMA inflicts on gay
and lesbian service members and their families, and on the strength of
our military, could not be clearer. I hope our Supreme Court Justices
are watching as these events unfold, and that they see that striking
down DOMA is the only way this unjust and untenable situation can be
rectified. The forces that defend 'liberty and justice for all' must be
freed to embody that principle as well, and our nation must be allowed
to offer our LGBT troops and their families the respect and support that
their sacrifice is due," said Robinson.