Shannon and Casey McLaughlin discuss
the harms the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has caused their family
in a new video.
The Massachusetts couple married in
2009 and are raising twins Grace and Grant.
They are among the six gay and lesbian
couples involved in a Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of DOMA as it relates to
gay troops. Shannon is a major in the Army National Guard.
“Shannon and I are in love. We have
two beautiful children. We have a lovely home in a supportive
community. Family that's close by that loves us. We have everything
that you could want. And the only thing that's standing in the way
is DOMA,” Casey says in the nearly 4-minute video released on
Tuesday.
“My role in the military and being
the breadwinner of the family,” Shannons says, “[DOMA] prevents
me from providing benefits for my wife – and she is the mother of
my children staying home. I can't put Casey on my health care, for
example. But, of course, I have to insure her. And it's a great
financial expense.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
(Related: Ruling
increases likelihood Supreme Court will take DOMA case.)