Governor Amends Policy On National Guard Benefits For Same-Sex Couples

Oklahoma's governor changed the state's policy on processing benefits for married Guardsmen in response to criticism from the federal government.

Governor Mary Fallin said now the only facilities that will process those benefits - for gay or straight couples - are ones that are federally funded.

These include: the Regional Training Institute in Oklahoma City, the state's two Air National Guard bases, and Camp Gruber. Same sex benefits will also be processed at Oklahoma's five federal military facilities, which include: Tinker Air Force Base, Fort Sill, Altus Air Force Base, Vance Air Force Base, and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.

Fallin said state-funded facilities will obey state law, which does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Last week, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel blasted states like Oklahoma, saying they are furthering discrimination by forcing same-sex couples to travel to federal facilities to get their benefits.

11/1/2013 Related Story: Secretary Of Defense Fires Back At States Refusing Same-Sex Benefits