Married gay and lesbian service members sue government
BOSTON (AP) -- A group of married gay current and former military personnel has sued the federal government, seeking equal recognition, benefits and the same support as married heterosexual couples.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court in Boston says the government's Defense of Marriage Act violates their constitutional rights and asks the military to recognize their marriages.
The suit was filed by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis says gay and lesbian service members deserve the same protections as heterosexual couples because they make the same sacrifices.
Under current law, the Pentagon is required to ignore same-sex marriages.
The lawsuit names as defendants the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Attorney General and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
A Pentagon spokesman says the military will evaluate the complaint while continuing to follow the law.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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