Pentagon expected to offer benefits to same-sex ‘spouses’
WASHINGTON, D.C. , February 6, 2013 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In the waning days of his tenure, outgoing Obama administration defense secretary Leon Panetta is expected to announce the expansion of some military dependent benefits to the same-sex “spouses” of homosexual personnel. The new benefits may include housing privileges, access to base recreational facilities and shopping, and joint duty assignments for same-sex couples. Leon Panetta At least for now, health care coverage and some other benefits will remain off-limits to homosexual couples due to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman in federal law. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next month about the constitutionality of the law. They are expected to rule on the issue before the end of June. The Obama administration has continually sought to expand benefits for homosexual government employees and their partners, as the president has mounted