Pentagon surveys troops on DADT (again)

[Lamplighter]

NY Times
JEREMY W. PETERS
Published: July 9, 2013

Effects of Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage Start Rippling Out Through Government

<snip>In recent days, officials from all three branches of government have notified
their workers of the expanded eligibility standards for spousal benefits.
<snip>
But with the Supreme Court having the final say in the matter,
the House had few options but to notify all 435 representatives
and their staff members in all 50 states that they have 60 days to enroll
their same-sex spouses in an array of benefits like vision, dental, long-term care and survivors’ annuities.

“I’m pleased that they’re proceeding, but I don’t think they had a choice,”
said Representative David Cicilline, Democrat of Rhode Island, who is one of the seven openly gay, lesbian or bisexual members of Congress.
“I think people expect that once the court has spoken,
even though they might disagree with the particular decision,
it is the law of the land. And it’s our responsibility,
especially those in government, to honor and follow the law.”
<snip>
The Senate and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts
have also sent out advisories in recent days pointing to a directive issued
by the Office of Personnel Management, the executive branch’s human resources division,
affirming the rights of same-sex couples to receive federal benefits, regardless of their state of residency.

BUT... don't be complacent that all is well about employment...

The only movement will come from the Senate,
where on Wednesday the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
is expected to approve a bill that would extend to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
the federal employment protections against discrimination that are currently available
to people based on characteristics like race and religion.

There is no federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace
based on sexual orientation; 29 states also do not have such a law.