Associated Press Published

W.Va. Guard issuing ID cards to same-sex spouses

Adjutant General James Hoyer of the West Virginia National Guard

The National Guard in West Virginia is now granting military ID cards to same-sex spouses, ensuring that they get benefits such as health care.
 
     The Charleston Gazette  reported Friday that one ID card has been issued to a same-sex spouse at a National Guard location in Martinsburg. An application is pending at the Air National Guard in Charleston.
 
     The National Guard had been issuing the IDs to same-sex spouses only at its four federally run facilities. The five state-run guard facilities are now doing the same.
 
     Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had criticized West Virginia and other states that had defied the Pentagon by refusing to allow National Guard facilities to issue ID cards.
 
     West Virginia does not recognize same-sex marriages from other states.