Military Lists Benefits Same-Sex Couples Can Get

As lesbian and gay couples filed a lawsuit demanding equal access to a list of benefits the military can't grant them because of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Defense Department made its own list.

It has identified 14 benefits that same-sex partners of U.S. soldiers qualify to receive with the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

Although some on the list are not new, the Defense Department is now promoting all of the benefits so soldiers are aware that, for example, they are free to designate their partner as a beneficiary for life insurance or as a beneficiary for the death gratuity.

The Defense of Marriage Act still prevents the military from awarding a number of other important benefits. And a group of married gay and lesbian service members announced on Thursday that they are suing the federal government to get a hold of some of the remaining benefits.

What remains is significant. They are denied equal access to medical care, housing, child care and more.

For a complete list of the 14 benefits the military is highlighting, visit Defense.gov.