The Missouri National Guard is now offering benefits to same-sex spouses. The guard began offering benefits on September 3. The guard is following Department of Defense orders to offer the same benefits to all legally married couples, including homosexuals, according to spokesperson Lieutenant John Quin.
“The Department of Defense is recognizing all marriages that are certified with a valid marriage license and spousal and family benefits, which include the ID cards, have been made available to same-sex spouses as of September 3,” Quin said.
Missouri law bans gay marriage, but the National Guard is part of the military, so Quin says all federal programs are available to same-sex spouses.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act this summer, which opened the door for federal benefits to be available for legally married same-sex couples.