Military to Extend Some Benefits to Same-Sex Partners

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Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced that the military will extend some benefits to same-sex partners. KUNC’s Grace Hood has more on what the move will mean for the 26-thousand men and women serving at Fort Carson.

Monday’s announcement allows same sex domestic partners to access more than 20 benefits including childcare and commissaries that sell groceries and other items on base. In order to tap into the benefits, individuals will be required to sign a declaration of domestic partnership. Fort Carson spokesperson Loran Doane:

“Fort Carson leadership will take any and all necessary steps to ensure that we follow DOD’s guidance and that we implement the policy.”

Doane adds that full implementation could take as long as 8 months. NOT included in the announcement were housing payments and health care benefits, which military officials say couldn’t be included because of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.