This is a small step in a positive direction. The Marines on Fort Bragg are now requiring that spouses’ clubs on military installations must include LGBT families in order to remain on military bases. The orders issued are the latest reaction to a month-long controversy surrounding the exclusion of Ashley Broadway, a military spouse at Fort Bragg, NC, from the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses. In December we reported that the group refused membership to Broadway alleging that her lack of a military ID card made her ineligible. Broadway, a lesbian spouse, is not permitted to receive a military ID card under current Pentagon regulations which all stems back to DOMA. The Marine Corps action goes significantly further than anything Ft. Bragg or the Army has done to correct these issues. So now gay & lesbian spouses just need to show their marriage license to gain access to the clubs & it will allow the spouses access to Fort Bragg without going through the inspection lane. However it will not allow shopping privileges at the commissary nor any other service granted to military dependents. The passes are Fort Bragg specific & will not be honored at other installations of government facilities. There is no indication that the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses will grant membership based on this “Friends” pass.
Updates to Come…:)
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