Defense of Marriage Act

VA Grants Burial Rights for Same-Sex Oregon Couple

Posted on 02/15/2013 by | General News | Comments

Bulletin Today | Home & Family | PoliticsBy Steven Dubois of The Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs has decided to allow the same-sex spouse of a member of the military to be buried in a U.S. national cemetery. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki used his discretionary authority to allow the burial of Nancy Lynchild’s ashes, the agency said Thursday. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who called Shinseki last month to lobby for the action, said the Oregon couple will become the first …

The Takeaway: Marriage Ruling Is Welcome News for Older Gay and Lesbian Couples

Posted on 05/31/2012 by | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

PoliticsThe following is a guest post by Kim Keister. The ruling by a federal appeals court on May 30 that the Defense of Marriage Act violates the Constitution by limiting marriage to a union between a man and a woman brings at least some gay couples a step closer to sharing federal benefits long enjoyed by heterosexuals. The ruling, which won’t be enforced before the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in, has particular importance for older gay and lesbian couples. Many …