FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, 11 February 2013
CONTACT:
Brett Abrams : 516-841-1105 : brett@fitzgibbonmedia.com
Statement by Rick Jacobs, founder and chair of Courage Campaign, on Defense Sec. Leon Panetta’s announcement that the Pentagon is extending some benefits to same-sex partners of military service members:
“We applaud Sec. Panetta and the Obama Administration on extending benefits to same-sex partners of military service-members. Our fighting men and women all deserve the same comforts and benefits for their service, regardless of their sexual orientation, and this decision reaffirms that. The ability to be with loved ones in military hospitals is a great comfort that has been too long denied to the many brave gay service members and their families who sacrifice so much to fight for this country.
This decision also highlights the need for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to end, as too many benefits are still denied to our troops.
All eyes are now on the nine justices of the Supreme Court who will hear two cases that can forever erase the legal discrimination against gays and lesbians in matters of family law. No matter how determined our president is, and he is very determined, the Supreme Court has to strike down the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that prevents the military and the entire federal government from granting legal equality to gays and lesbians. The time has come.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/11/panetta-same-sex-benefits/1909595/
For interviews with Courage Campaign, please contact Brett Abrams at 516-841-1105 or by email at brett@fitzgibbonmedia.com.
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