All members of the Louisiana National Guard will now be able to apply for benefits at any Guard installation, including troops who are legally married to same-sex partners in other states.
Equality Louisiana Research and Policy Coordinator, Matthew Patterson said about the new development, “This is a great day for married National Guard members in our state, and another small step down the road to equality for all married couples.”
While the Louisiana National Guard had initially required that LGB service members apply for spousal benefits only at federal installations such as Ft. Polk or Barksdale Air Force Base, the Secretary of Defense has indicated that such a policy illegally creates hardship and inequality for service members in same-sex marriages.
Now, in response to the Pentagon’s directive and similar actions taken by other states, the Louisiana National Guard has removed the last remaining barriers to access. Federal funds and personnel will be used to process benefits applications for service members in same-sex marriages, satisfying Louisiana’s constitutional requirements while ensuring that all service members receive equal treatment in the application process.
In response to the revised policy, Col. Terrel S. Preston, USAF (Ret) and Shreveport resident, stated, “We’re very pleased to see the Louisiana National Guard choose to treat all service members equally, with dignity and respect.”
This change brings Louisiana’s policy in line with that of 46 other states that have already ensured equal benefits for their Guard members.
