Dept. of Defense to Review Benefits for Gay Teachers

The Department of Defense said it would review a decision to recognize all same-sex couples when assigning teachers at overseas DOD schools.

The mid-January decision was made by the DOD Education Activity, a civilian agency that coordinates all overseas schools on military bases, and two teachers unions, the Federal Education Association and the Overseas Federation of Teachers, according to Stars and Stripes.

The policy decision would also apply to unmarried heterosexual couples in domestic partnerships and would affect teacher transfers starting later this year. The same-sex couples must be in a legal marriage or must provide an affidavit stating that they have been in a relationship for at least one year and are dedicated to each other.

Gay couples would not receive any compensation benefits but would be considered equal to married straight couples.