AMPA Statement on Reintroduction of the Respect for Marriage Act

Legislation needed to fully repeal Defense of Marriage Act and provide full and equal benefits to LGBT service members, veterans, and their families

WASHINGTON, DC- January 6, 2015 – Today, the American Military Partner Association, the nation's largest organization for the partners, spouses, and families of America's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members and veterans, praised the reintroduction of the Respect for Marriage Act by Senator Feinstein in the U.S. Senate and Representatives Nadler and Ros-Lehtinen in the U.S. House of Representatives. While the U.S. Supreme Court found Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, the remaining sections were not considered by the Supreme Court. The Respect for Marriage Act would fully repeal DOMA.

"Military and veteran families continue to suffer harm caused by section two of DOMA," said Ashley Broadway, AMPA President and spouse of an active-duty Army officer. "The Department of Veterans Affairs still does not fully recognize the same-sex marriages of service members and veterans living in non-marriage equality states. All service members, veterans, and their families deserve full and equal access to their earned veterans' benefits, no matter what state they live in."

With section two of the Defense of Marriage Act still in place, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is still following discriminatory language in Title 38 section 103c when determining the validity of marriages for veteran benefits purposes. As service members transition from active duty, same-sex couples in non-marriage equality states are denied full and equal access to many earned veterans' benefits from the VA. Legally married active duty service members living in non-marriage equality states are also denied access to the full backing of VA home loans.

For more information about the American Military Partner Association and LGBT military spouses and their families, please visit www.MilitaryPartners.org.

The American Military Partner Association is the nation's largest organization for the partners, spouses, families, and allies of America's LGBT service members and veterans. With over 39,000 members and supporters, AMPA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for our "modern military families."