Fallin punishes all National Guard couples - straight and gay - due to her anti-gay bigotry

by Gayly Staff

Tulsa’s KRMG radio station Wednesday announced that Governor Mary Fallin’s latest approach to providing same-sex married National Guard couples benefits is to require all married couples, without regard to whether they are gay or straight, to process those benefits only at federally operated sites.

The AP coverage of the governor’s decision dates to November 6, and was reported by The Gayly that date. The original story stated that only same-sex couples would have to follow this procedure. A follow-up by the AP clarified that “all marriage benefits will be processed at federal facilities.”

Governor Fallin’s Facebook page includes a quote from the Governor from shortly after noon Wednesday, November 20, which reads: “To set the record straight – no National Guardsman in Oklahoma is being denied marriage benefits for any reason. Stories that suggest otherwise are false.”

That comment may be technically correct; they aren’t being denied those benefits, only requiring that couples have to travel long distances to get them. However, if all married couples have to process marriage benefits only at Federal installations it is a major imposition on those couples, regardless of their sexual orientation. The major Federal installations are Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, Altus AFB in Altus, Vance AFB in Enid, Fort Sill in Lawton, and the Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, and may be long distances from Guard couples’ homes.

The Gayly will continue to cover this story, with updates as information develops. Watch www.gayly.com or our Facebook page at “The Gayly,” for continued coverage.

The Gayly - November 20, 2013 @ 10:44pm