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Charlie Morgan, Soldier Fighting For Equality In The Military, Succumbs To Cancer
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5 Comments
No. 2 ·
Aidan8
R.I.P Chief… and thank you for your courage and dedication. Peace to her wife and child.
It’s an outrage that her wife and child are not eligible for survivor benefits. Hopefully that will soon be rectified.
To all the Conservatives, Republicans, and Tea Party types out there who don’t believe in treating our LGBT-veterans and active service members equally, shame shame shame on you all. You are pathetic when compared to a person like Chief Morgan. Especially the chicken-hawks (Cheney, etc.) who never served themselves. All of you make me sick.
Here’s a list of prominent Republicans who have never served or actively dodged the draft:
http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html
P.S. I’m not saying only GOPers avoided or never served. But they are far far more likely to be hostile to treating LGBT service members and veterans equally. Oh they love throwing huge sums of cash at the military contractors… but gods forbid we allow a wife and child to collect meager survivor benefits.
Feb 10, 2013 at 2:24 pm · @Reply
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No. 3 ·
Michael
There are two causes for sadness here. The foremost is her passing, and we salute her service to her country and to her community. Another sadness is that, yet again, even in this hour, SLDN is inexplicably asserting that, because of DOMA, her wife Karen is not entitled to ANY survivor’s benefits which they know not to be true. Even if it’s nothing but sloppy writing, they will again be responsible for this hurtful myth being unwittingly perpetuated in ensuing report after report on Charlie’s passing.
“Service members may freely designate any person, including a same-sex partner, for the following benefits:
- Beneficiary of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) payments
- Receipt of unused contributions from Post Vietnam-Era Veterans Assistance Program (VEAP) and the Montgomery G.I. Bill Death Benefit, as long as the person is also designated as an SGLI beneficiary
- Beneficiary of Thrift-Savings Plan (TSP)
- Retirement annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), as long as the service member is not in an opposite-sex marriage and does not have a dependent child
- Beneficiary for Death Gratuity and Beneficiary for Unpaid Pay/Allowances on DD Form 93″
Feb 10, 2013 at 4:09 pm · @Reply ·
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No. 5 ·
KEVINVENTION
While it’s extremely hurtful, unjust and just plain WRONG the way the United States Government has treated LGBT service members and their families, right now it’s just plain SAD to have lost such a voice for equality that was giving her all to undoing these wrongs (and making progress). I’ll keep my undying dislike and criticism of John Boehner and his ilk at bay long enough to honor this true American and LGBT Hero. My sincere condolences and wishes for healing to those Charlie loved (and was loved by) that she left behind far too soon…
Feb 11, 2013 at 7:43 am · @Reply ·
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Add your Comment
It’s unconscionable that a member of the U.S. National Guard is treated with such inequality. Hopefully, after DOMA is repealed, the government will consider extending this person’s military benefits to her family. Thank you for fighting for equality, especially when your time was so limited. The harm done to us, our community, is made all the more significant by your having shared your story. I wish you and your family well. My heart aches for the betrayal you have endured at the hands of the Republicans. May they never taste power again for centuries.