The American Military Partner Association

1725 I Street NW Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 March 17, 2015

The Adjutant General, Texas Military Forces, Major General Jake Berry

P.O. Box 5218, Building 10, Austin, TX, 78703

Dear Major General Berry,

I am writing to you on behalf of our members who recently experienced an unfortunate situation of blatant discrimination at the Camp Mabry DEERS/ID Card section.

On Friday, March 13, 2015, three legally married, same-sex military families (military member and spouse) attempted to register for benefits and obtain services pursuant to the Department of Defense (DoD) Memorandum, Extending Benefits to the Same-Sex Spouses of Military Members, dated August

13, 2013. In accordance with the ALARACT 212/2013, the couples were prepared to present the required supporting documentation to the desk clerk at Camp Mabry.

Unfortunately, the desk clerk informed the couples that she would not be able to assist them and directed the couples to other federal facilities in order to obtain services. The first couple, a retiree and her wife, were turned away after the desk clerk told them she would not enroll the wife in DEERS

because this is a state facility. The second couple, an active duty soldier and his new husband, were also turned away. When they

questioned the desk clerk as to why they could not obtain the services they needed, the clerk stated that she could not enroll the same-sex spouse in DEERS or issue a military dependent ID card because their marriage was not recognized in the state of Texas.

The third couple, another active duty soldier and her wife, were also told they could not be served, even after showing the employee the Texas Military Forces media advisory, dated November 26, 2013, which

stated that services would now be provided. They were eventually assisted, but only after the soldier insisted and explained that all they needed was to update the rank on her and her spouses ID cards.

Again, the clerk had stated that their marriage was not recognized in the state of Texas, therefore they could not be served. The employee even went so far as to tell this third couple fabricated reasons why the first two couples were turned away, unaware that both earlier interactions had been overheard.

This blatant discrimination was humiliating, degrading, and in direct violation of the Department of

Defense memorandum. It certainly was not in line with the highest ideals and guiding principles of the military. This action can only be explained by unconstitutional animus, and it violated the legal rights of these couples.

It should also be pointed out that the employee never requested to see any documentation regarding the marriages of these military members, nor did she review any documentation in order to determine if

their marriages were legal for military purposes or if they had brought in all necessary documents. She simply summarily turned them away, and did so with a demeanor that conveyed her disapproval of their marriages. When a supervisor was requested to help resolve the issue, the employee stated that

none was available. We do not know whether this employee was acting of her own accord, or if she was carrying out the

instructions of her superiors, however, it does not matter. These military members/retirees had every right to expect service at this military facility. To turn them away, or require them to travel to some other facility because they are same-sex couples to obtain the benefits to which they are entitled is

blatant discrimination. We are concerned with the real possibility that others may have experienced similar discrimination in

the past or will in the future. We respectfully request you investigate this matter and instruct your staff to abide by the directives and policies of the DoD by enrolling all eligible military spouses so they may

receive the federal benefits to which they are entitled. Please submit your response to this letter as soon as possible so we may determine what further action is necessary to ensure our members are treated fairly and equally with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Sincerely,

Ashley Broadway-Mack President, The American Military Partner Association

www.MilitaryPartners.org 202-695-2672