Texas National Guard Reverses Policy, Will Process Military Benefits For Gays

Texas is reversing its policy of requiring gay couples to register at federal facilities and getting in sync with the real world.

The Defense Department will provide federal personnel, funding and equipment to enroll the spouses, ensuring that no Texas National Guard members in state status will have to do the work.

“We look forward to having the ability to process the benefits our service members and their families are entitled to,” Lt. Col. Joanne MacGregor, a Texas National Guard spokeswoman, said in a statement.

Texas officials had previously said that the state’s National Guard could not process benefits for gay couples under the state’s Constitution, which prohibits recognition of same-sex marriage. Three other states have taken the same position, with all telling same-sex spouses that they would have to apply at federal installations.

By: Cheston Catalano

Cheston Catalano is a Kentucky-based journalist whose work has been featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. He is a long-time contributor to Liberaland.