SPLC Suit Challenges DOMA

"Tracy Cooper-Harris served for 12 years in the U.S. Army and received multiple commendations.  But because she's in a marriage with a person of the same sex, the government refuses to grant her the same disability benefits as heterosexual veterans.

In a federal lawsuit filed today, the SPLC challenged the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as well as the law that governs the Department of Veterans Affairs policy...

... The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, charges that DOMA is unconstitutional because it discriminates on the basis of gender and sexual orientation.  It also challenges the VA's definition of "spouse" as discriminatory."

Read the SPLC's full article here.

Update: DADT

Last night in his State of the Union address, President Obama said he would work with Congress to put an end to Don't Ask, Don't Tell this year. It's great to hear him say it, but when will he take action? Domenico Montanaro of MSNBC writes that a hearing regarding DADT will be held on Tuesday during the Senate Budget hearings.

Read the whole article HERE

DADT and the State of the Union

 Advocate reporter Kerry Eleveld speculates on the possible mention of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in tonight's State of the Union address. It airs at 9p.m EST.
DADT & the State of the Union address