Pentagon to extend family benefits to same-sex military couples

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Pentagon will extend some family benefits to same-sex partners of U.S. military members, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said, according to BBC News.

The benefits include child care, legal help, joint duty assignments, emergency leave, and transportation. Others such as healthcare and housing allowances cannot be offered without a change in federal law, he said.

The move comes more than two years after the U.S. Congress repealed a ban on openly gay military members.

Panetta said he had ordered each military service to make the changes by October 1.

"It is a matter of fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country," Panetta said. "Taking care of our service members and honoring the sacrifices of all military families are two core values of this nation."

Panetta said that while the remaining benefits are blocked by a federal law that does not recognize same-sex marriage, he foresaw a time "when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to service members and their dependents, irrespective of sexual orientation".

To qualify, the service member and his or her partner must sign a "declaration of domestic partnership" attesting to the exclusive and committed relationship.