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October 13, 2011

Disabled Navy Vet Challenges Same-Sex Marriage Ban 
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A disabled Navy veteran denied government benefits is preparing to file
a lawsuit challenging two federal laws defining marriage as between
members of the opposite sex. Connecticut resident and former sailor
Carmen Cardona recently applied for an increase to her monthly
disability compensation after getting married last year. But her
application was rejected on the grounds she is married to a woman, not
"a person of the opposite sex," as called for under federal law. Cardona
is believed to be the first person to challenge federal anti-LGBT
marriage statutes through the veterans court of appeals.



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