JACKSON, Miss. — The military is recognizing same sex marriages. But Mississippi won’t issue applications for their benefits at state-owned offices. The state bans gay marriage.
Only National Guard offices on federal property will accept the applications in Mississippi. Once the same sex spouse is approved and gets an ID, that person can go to any base for service.
Tuesday was the first working day gays in the military could apply for benefits. About 15 other states ban gay marriages. But so far Mississippi and Texas appear to be the only two limiting how and where the spouses of National Guard members could register for identification cards and benefits.
