Same Sex Relationships

I found this article on the Australian online newspaper. It is about same sex marriage and discriminating against same sex relationships. I thought the arguments the ex-navy officer was making was very important and I do believe she should receive the same benefits as those couples in a relationship with a person of the opposite sex. This is where i found the article The Australian
A DISABLED US Navy veteran is suing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recognise her marriage to her long-time female partner - in what is believed to be the first time a former member of the armed services has sought recognition of same-sex marriage from the department.

Eighteen-year naval veteran Carmen Cardona is filing an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims after the VA denied her and her wife spousal disability benefits last year.

"I'm proud that I served my country while in the Navy," Ms Cardona said, in comments reported today by FOX News.

"It is important to my wife and me that the Government respect my service by acknowledging our marriage, and that we be treated equally."

The 45-year-old - who maintained aircraft during her years of service - applied for and began receiving military-connected disability compensation from the VA for carpal tunnel syndrome, which she developed as a result of her duties, following her honourable discharge in 2000.

Ms Cardona married her partner in Norwich, Connecticut in 2010. She later applied to the VA for spousal benefits -- to which legally married disabled veterans are entitled - but officials denied the application pursuant to a VA statute that prevents the federal government from recognising same-sex marriages.

"We could use the help to pay our mortgage, but this is not only about the money," Ms Cardona said, "President Obama is right that [the Defense of Marriage Act] discriminates against gay and lesbian people. There are many other veterans out there just like me. I am standing up and asking to be treated equally in part to let others know they are not alone."

Officials at the VA declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.

The VA benefits law indicates that for purposes of veterans' benefits a spouse is defined as a "person of the opposite sex who is a wife or husband". The Board of Veterans Appeals relied upon this law rather than the Defense of Marriage Act in ruling that Cardona's same-sex partner could not be considered a spouse for benefits purposes.