Gerry Studds' Husband Denied Pension

The fact that the husband of recently deceased, openly gay Congressman, Gerry Studds is being refused the survivor's portion of Studd's pension by the federal government is an intolerable disgrace. The officials responsible for dispersing the pension have cited DOMA, the deceitfully named "Defense Of Marriage Act," as grounds for their refusal. That's right, the same DOMA that was supported by Paul Wellstone and signed into law by Bill Clinton. Minni me versions were passed by most states with the support of "Democratic" lawmakers. We expect it from Republicans but from the party that expects our money and our votes, it continues to be a deep betrayal and a deal breaker for my family that joined the Greens several years ago.

Perhaps this despicable mistreatment of the family of one of their fallen presents an opportunity for the Dems to redeem themselves. If by some miracle they don't fuck up another election cakewalk being presented to them on a silver platter, they might find it in their hearts to correct past misdeeds by moving to repeal DOMA. They could name the effort in recognition of the disgracefully discriminatory treatment of the family of Gerry Studds. Like that's going to happen.