Military and gay marriage

Learn about the benefits and legal protections available to same-sex military couples, ensuring you have the support and resources you need. Until the year , it was illegal to be openly gay in the British Armed Forces. You could fight for your country. You could lay down your life.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a ruling declaring the states have no legal right "to refuse to recognize a lawful same-sex marriage performed in another state on the ground of its. The Supreme Court's legalizing of same-sex marriages not only paves the way for such unions in all 50 states, but also on all U. Until Friday's ruling, the military permitted same-sex wedding ceremonies only on bases in states that allowed them. The high court's decision permits the ceremonies in military chapels across the country.

The topic of same-sex unions and military service concerns the government treatment or recognition of same-sex unions (including same-sex marriages, civil unions, domestic partnerships or cohabitation) who may consist of at least one servicemember of a nation's military. The Pentagon has announced that more than veterans who were thrown out of the US military over their sexual orientation will receive honourable discharges. Under a policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" that was in effect from to , thousands of openly gay, lesbian and bisexual service members were separated from the military. Many were given less-than-honourable discharges, which blocked them from receiving veteran benefits such as healthcare, student loans and tuition assistance.

The repeal of DADT and the subsequent legal recognition of same-sex marriage have significantly advanced the rights of LGBTQ+ veterans. Yet, issues such as healthcare rights, spousal benefits, and recognition of gender identity continue to present legal hurdles. For same-sex military couples married before or on June 26, , the effective date of benefits and entitlements is June However, for same-sex couples married after June 26, their effective date of benefits and entitlements is the actual date of marriage. All Army spouses whether in a same-sex or opposite-sex marriage are eligible for benefits.