MILITARY COUP

OK Fourth State To Ban Processing Of Military Benefits For Same-Sex Couples

When do states’ concerns trump military commands? When it comes to marriage equality, of course.

Oklahoma is the latest state to decide that it doesn’t care what the Pentagon says it has to do. Gov, Mary Fallin (Republican, as if you had to ask) has ordered the state National Guard not to process benefits request for same-sex couples. This makes Oklahoma the fourth state — after those other beacons of progress Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana — to disobey a federal directive requiring the state to grant same-sex military couples the same privileges as any other married couple.

Fallin went one better than her southern peers, however. She is overriding a decision by the state National Guard to process these requests. In fact, two couples have already had their requests for benefits processed through the state National Guard.

Fallin’s spokesman Alex Weintz says that she’s just following the will of the people, which apparently includes flouting military commands. Unsurprisingly, the state bans same-sex marriages.

“Because of that prohibition, Gov. Fallin’s general counsel has advised the National Guard not to process requests for benefits of same-sex couples,” Weintz said. 

Couples seeking benefits can still apply for them at federal military bases, which may be a lot less convenient to get to. The base that Weintz suggested gay personnel visit, Tinker Air Force Base, is more than 100 miles from Tulsa.

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