ACLU Condemns Texas Military Forces Discriminating Against Same-Sex Couples Applying for Federal Benefits



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Hargis, Director of Communications, 713.942-8146 x103 or 832.291.4776; [email protected]

Tuesday marked the first day that legally married lesbian and gay service members could apply for federal benefits for their families. In a letter to service members, Texas Military Forces announced that the agency would refuse to process applications for benefit requests from members of same-sex couples who serve in the Texas National Guard, making Texas one of just two states that have singled out legally married lesbian and gay service members for discrimination.

“Texas should honor the sacrifices of gay and lesbian service members who protect American values by granting them the federally mandated benefits that they are legally due, rather than make them jump through hoops,” said Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas. “It’s ridiculous that the state of Texas is denying legally married same-sex couples who serve  their country the benefits promised to them by the federal government.”

In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling requiring the federal government to recognize legal marriages between same-sex couples, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it would recognize all marriages that are legal in the place where the ceremony took place, regardless of the couples’ state of residence. Texas announced that it will only allow same-sex service members to apply for benefits for their families at bases operated by the Department of Defense, while heterosexual members can apply anywhere.

“Federal law requires that all legally married service members be permitted to apply for benefits for their families,” said Rebecca L. Robertson, legal and policy director at the ACLU of Texas. “Texas should treat all legally married service members equally, not throw up roadblocks to access services for some military families.”