Gay Troops

Eric Fanning, a gay man, has been confirmed to the second-highest civilian position in the U.S. Air Force.

Captain Phelps will marry Schock in May in Seattle, Washington and he will subsequently be transferred to Japan this summer for a minimum of two years. But because of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Schock will not be allowed to join him on base.

While visiting U.S. troops at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said he supports benefits for same-sex couples, and will fight to get them enacted into law.

On January 29, 2013, Secretary Shinseki granted a waiver, the first of its kind, for the burial of civilian Nancy Lynchild in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Her spouse, retired Lieutenant Colonel Linda Campbell, led the months long efforts to make the waiver a reality.

The largest collection of academic research on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal was published online this weekend in a special edition of the Journal of Homosexuality.

Former service members who are part of a class action lawsuit challenging a Defense Department policy that cuts in half the separation pay of those who have been honorably discharged for "homosexuality" will receive their full pay after a settlement announced Monday.