Louisiana Nat’l Guard Strikes Deal To Process Benefits For Gay Couples

In this Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 photo, Derrick Peacock, left, and Pablo Monroy exchange rings during their wedding ceremony at Cedar Springs near Port Orchard, Wash. Monroy, 24, a cavalry scout with the Army National... In this Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 photo, Derrick Peacock, left, and Pablo Monroy exchange rings during their wedding ceremony at Cedar Springs near Port Orchard, Wash. Monroy, 24, a cavalry scout with the Army National Guard, and Peacock, 25, are the faces of a new generation of gays and lesbians entering a world that has radically changed in the quarter-century span of their lives. The couple is embarking on a life that previous generations of gay people never thought possible. A life that includes serving openly in the military, raising children and expecting to be legally married. MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

The Louisiana National Guard struck a deal with the Pentagon to process military benefits for same-sex spouses without running afoul of the state’s ban on gay marriage, the Washington Post reported Wednesday. 

The state plans to grant some National Guard members temporary federal status in order to handle their enrollments, according to the Post. The Louisiana National Guard originally planned to ignore the Pentagon’s directive to process military benefits for gay couples in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act.  

Similarly, last week the Texas National Guard approved a procedure that allows federal personnel to process benefits for same-sex couples without running afoul of that state’s ban on gay marriage. 

Georgia and Mississippi are now the only states that continue to bar same-sex National Guard spouses from registering for military benefits, according to the Post.

Latest Livewire
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: