In the blog series Momentum: 2013, A Year of Equality we ask Lambda Legal’s experts to discuss the impact of the previous year and the continuing work necessary to keep equality moving forward.
After increasing pressure to follow U.S. Department of Defense guidelines, the Texas Military Forces today allowed Lambda Legal's client, Alicia Butler the wife of 1st Lt. Judith Chedville to register for federal military benefits at Camp Mabry.
Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Paul Castillo said:
Lambda Legal today sent a letter to the commanding general of Texas Military Forces urging him to abide by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines and allow married same-sex military couples to register for federal benefits at any military base in the state.
Lambda Legal and 10 other national LGBT advocacy organizations jointly issued a series of factsheets to provide guidance to same-sex couples and their families as they navigate accessing federal rights, benefits, and protections.
The history of sexual orientation discrimination continues to tarnish the record of approximately 11,400 service members were discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation between World War II and the end of DADT in 2011.
For the first time in history, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing two gay rights cases in one term. Here’s a handy graphic from legal experts at Lambda Legal explaining how the Court may decide each case.
President Obama signed into law yesterday a defense budget bill including a clause that may allow service members to invoke “religious conscience” as a defense for illegal discrimination. The President promised to protect the rights of lesbian and gay service members.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" may be gone, but discrimination isn't. The so-called Defense of Marriage Act prevents the federal government from recognizing the marriages of lesbian and gay service members, leaving them and their families without crucial legal protections.