Care for same-sex spouses

Starting in September, the Department of Defense will extend federal spousal and family benefits, including health-care coverage, to same-sex spouses of military members and civilian employees.

The DOD announced in February that it had expanded access to some benefits for same-sex partners of military personnel, stopping short of providing medical and dental coverage, according to California Healthline.

To qualify for the benefits, couples must provide a valid marriage certificate, but the DOD also said it will provide leave to personnel who need to travel to jurisdictions where same-sex marriage has been legalized.

The announcement comes less than two months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act.