Secretary Panetta: Stop Dragging Your Heels on Equality!
A military ID is a very simple thing, but it's absolutely crucial to military spouses and partners who want to access the benefits and services offered to military families.
Last week, an official for the U.S. Army defended one base's spouses' group that denied membership to the wife of a lesbian officer because she didn't have a military ID.
The military has had two years since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to end this brand of discrimination. And all it would take is an order from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to stop this inequality now.
With just weeks left until he leaves office, we're running out of time for Panetta to act. Tell Secretary Panetta to end the discrimination against same-sex military spouses and partners and order access to military IDs for ALL military spouses and partners now.
Dear Secretary Panetta:
Since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) was repealed two years ago, you've been a tremendous ally in helping to implement the new policy of equality.
And yet, an official for the U.S. Army stood by the Association of [Fort] Bragg Officers' Spouses in denying membership to the wife of a lesbian officer. This came just days after the Marine Corps instructed all clubs to treat same-sex spouses and partners equally.
There's a decision you can make now: immediately issue new regulations allowing same-sex spouses and partners access to military IDs -- crucial to spouses and partners who need to access the benefits and services offered to military families.
You've had two years, and while we thank you for your leadership during the transition away from DADT, it is time to put an end to this form of inequality for same-sex military families.
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
