In the News: AG Eric Holder extends new and equal same-sex marriage federal benefits

   In the news this past weekend was an amazing push for equal rights and protections for gay couples. That means that in addition to the 17 states where our marriage is legally recognized by the state and the federal gov't, now in  the 33 states that don't yet recognize our marriage  the Federal Protections will be afforded to gay couples legally married in states where gay marriage is "legal."  
  This is a great step toward getting all states to recognize gay marriage (and they should have done it anyway).  Here's the article that came out this week.


AG Eric Holder extends new and equal same-sex marriage federal benefits
 SOURCE: Examiner.com
ARTICLE: http://www.examiner.com/article/ag-eric-holder-extends-new-and-equal-same-sex-marriage-federal-benefits?CID=examiner_alerts_article

 February 9, 2014

Attorney General Eric Holder has made civil rights a priority for the Justice Department and he has put that commitment into action when it comes to the equal rights of same-sex couples. According to NBC News on Feb. 8, the Justice Department will extend a new package of federal benefits to same-sex couples starting on Monday.

Atty General Eric Holder

AG Holder stated that these new benefits would be extended to gay couples who are legally married and will also apply to those who live in states that do not recognize same-sex marriage. Some of these new and extended benefits include federal death benefits as well as educational payments given to surviving spouses of public safety officers who suffer sustaining injuries or even death.
According to Holder, “the federal government should stand by that hero’s spouse – no matter whether that spouse is straight or gay.”
The action is a further indication of the change and transition that has taken place since the historic US Supreme Court ruling back in June of 2013 that struck down an important part of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Under the new benefits package, government lawyers will also recognize same-sex spouses with the same rights as opposite-sex couples in federal court cases. Spouses can decline to testify against a spouse in federal criminal and civil cases as explained by Holder. Again, “even in states where same-sex marriages are not recognized.”
These new benefits will also extend to inmates in federal prison, including visitation rights. Same-sex couples will also be treated equally in federal bankruptcy proceedings.
This is another step in the Justice Department’s dedication to “confronting discrimination based on sexual orientation.” These new benefits give “lawful same-sex marriages full and equal recognition” and assure recognition of those same-sex marriages beyond the 17 states that have made commitments to marriage equality.