WATCH: On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, married Army couple discusses harms of DOMA
Posted on May 10, 2013 at 09:00 am
Today, Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN released the latest video in the 'Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry' video series featuring Major Shannon McLaughlin and her wife Casey. The couple speaks out about how DOMA hurts.
Defeating DOMA after DADT: One advocate’s journey
Posted on Apr 11, 2013 at 09:00 am
As an active member of the armed forces, Jenn Veryzer fought to help end the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that prohibited gay men and lesbians from serving openly, and she kept her relationship secret. Today, she hopes to become an advocate for marriage and protect her new family.
WATCH: U.S. Marine Captain and his fiancé speak out on how DOMA hurts
Posted on Apr 10, 2013 at 09:00 am
A new video from our Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry campaign spotlights U.S. Marine Corps Captain Matthew Phelps and his soon-to-be husband, Ben Schock. The couple, who will marry in Seattle, WA next month, are one of thousands of military families affected by DOMA.
Military Couple Jonathan and Dwayne: 20 photos from our wedding day
Posted on Apr 04, 2013 at 10:00 am
This weekend, on Saturday, March 30, Jonathan Franqui and Navy Senior Chief Dwayne D. Beebe hosted their wedding ceremony among all of their loved ones at Old Christ Church in Pensacola, Florida. Here, they shared 20 photos with us of their big day and explained why marriage matters to them.
20 Photos: How DOMA blocks Jonathan and Juka’s love, education, and life together
Posted on Feb 27, 2013 at 11:30 am
When Juka Mendes moved to the US on a student visa, he never expected to fall in love. But he did, and got married to Air Force member Jonathan Malumay. Now, Juka can no longer afford his education, and in April his visa expires. As a service member, Jonathan is eligible for an education grant that he should be able to transfer to his husband, but because DOMA does not respect his marriage, he cannot do so.
WATCH: Gay Marine who proposed to fiancé at White House speaks out against DOMA
Posted on Feb 22, 2013 at 11:30 am
"A lot of people think that after 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was repealed, that was it - that everything was fixed," U.S. Marine Corps Captain Phelps explains in a new video. "But the reality of it is that the lives of the individual gay or lesbian service member was fixed. But repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' didn't change anything for our families."
Newlyweds Jamelle and Karane combat DOMA while serving their country and city
Posted on Feb 14, 2013 at 05:15 pm
By the time Jamelle Thomas and Karane Williams met for their first date, they felt like they had already known each other forever. They hit it off as soon as they first met and married in October 2012, but the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) creates struggles for them every day.
Pentagon extends new protections to military spouses harmed by DOMA
Posted on Feb 11, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Today, Sec. of Defense Panetta said he would extend new protections - including military ID cards and access to family support initiatives - to same-sex spouses of active members of the military. DOMA restricts the military from addressing larger concerns, including health care, housing, and survivor's benefits.
Remembering Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan: Soldier, Mother, Wife
Posted on Feb 11, 2013 at 10:45 am
On Sunday, February 10, Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan of the New Hampshire National Guard passed away after a courageous struggle with cancer. Freedom to Marry extends our deepest condolences to CW2 Morgan's wife Karen, daughter Casey Elena, and all of the Morgan family.
Our life in 17 photos: A gay sailor’s love story
Posted on Feb 06, 2013 at 03:00 pm
Navy Senior Chief Dwayne D. Beebe and Jonathan Franqui have fallen in love and committed their lives together - they were excited to get their marriage license in Maryland, and they look forward to their ceremony in Florida. But their marriage deserves legal respect - respect that cannot happen until all couples have the freedom to marry, and until DOMA is overturned once and for all.