Comments on: Repealing DADT Is Only the First Step http://www.mombian.com/2009/11/11/repealing-dadt-is-only-the-first-step-3/ Sustenance for Lesbian Moms Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:03:50 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Mombian » Blog Archive » But How Do We Support Same-Sex Partners In the Military? http://www.mombian.com/2009/11/11/repealing-dadt-is-only-the-first-step-3/comment-page-1/#comment-95456 Mombian » Blog Archive » But How Do We Support Same-Sex Partners In the Military? Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:10:15 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/?p=6136#comment-95456 [...] gone on about this before, so I’ll just point you back to that [...] [...] gone on about this before, so I’ll just point you back to that [...]

]]> By: Dana http://www.mombian.com/2009/11/11/repealing-dadt-is-only-the-first-step-3/comment-page-1/#comment-93731 Dana Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:34:34 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/?p=6136#comment-93731 Thanks so much for this information, Kate! It's great to hear not only that people can serve regardless of orientation, but that their families are taken care of as well. I don't think we're even close to thinking about the latter here in the U.S. I hope that our country can learn from the example of countries like yours. Thanks so much for this information, Kate! It’s great to hear not only that people can serve regardless of orientation, but that their families are taken care of as well. I don’t think we’re even close to thinking about the latter here in the U.S. I hope that our country can learn from the example of countries like yours.

]]> By: Kate http://www.mombian.com/2009/11/11/repealing-dadt-is-only-the-first-step-3/comment-page-1/#comment-93730 Kate Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:04:18 +0000 http://www.mombian.com/?p=6136#comment-93730 Hello, I live in Melbourne, Australia and after reading your post 'Children Ask, Children Tell', I felt extremely angered and upset. I do not have any connection with the defense forces so had not given the issue extended thought and found myself noting that I had no idea of Australia's policy. I was pleasently surprised then to find on the Australian Defense Force's website: "Under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 , discrimination or harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, be it heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, is prohibited. ADF members or APS employees are not to be asked about their sexual orientation, nor is sexual orientation, or alleged sexual orientation, to be adversely taken into consideration in promotion, posting or career development decisions." http://www.defence.gov.au/fr/RR/diversity.htm I then looked further and found: The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws -- Superannuation) Act 2008 ensures same-sex couples are treated the same as heterosexual couples for the purposes of the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Act 1948 and the Defence Force Retirement and Deaths Benefits Act 1973. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/boost-for-same-sex-military-couples/story-e6frg8yo-1111118361072 I am happy to have found this but am still left feeling incredibly saddened for the couple from your story and the many other men and women affected by the DADT policy. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Obama provides a time line for when he will amend these laws and that it is done quickly. Hello,

I live in Melbourne, Australia and after reading your post ‘Children Ask, Children Tell’, I felt extremely angered and upset. I do not have any connection with the defense forces so had not given the issue extended thought and found myself noting that I had no idea of Australia’s policy. I was pleasently surprised then to find on the Australian Defense Force’s website:

“Under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 , discrimination or harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, be it heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, is prohibited. ADF members or APS employees are not to be asked about their sexual orientation, nor is sexual orientation, or alleged sexual orientation, to be adversely taken into consideration in promotion, posting or career development decisions.”

http://www.defence.gov.au/fr/RR/diversity.htm

I then looked further and found:

The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — Superannuation) Act 2008 ensures same-sex couples are treated the same as heterosexual couples for the purposes of the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Act 1948 and the Defence Force Retirement and Deaths Benefits Act 1973.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/boost-for-same-sex-military-couples/story-e6frg8yo-1111118361072

I am happy to have found this but am still left feeling incredibly saddened for the couple from your story and the many other men and women affected by the DADT policy. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Obama provides a time line for when he will amend these laws and that it is done quickly.

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