Same-Sex Army Wife 'Banned' From Fort Bragg Spouses Club
A same-sex Army wife has been "banned" from joining a spouses club at Fort Bragg, according to an NBC News report.
The woman who was not allowed to join the "Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses" was the same-sex partner of a female lieutenant colonel at Fort Bragg.
The decision not to allow her membership has been criticized by some who are saying she was refused because she is a lesbian. However, the club has clarified that she was not given membership simply because she did not have her military spouse ID card, which is essential to process a membership.
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However, those supporting Ashley Broadway have said that it is impossible for her to obtain a military spouse ID card as the military does not issue them to same-sex spouses. Some have even insisted that they had never heard of this requirement prior to Broadway attempting to get membership.
Broadway has reportedly been a same-sex partner of Lt. Col. Heather Mack for the past 15 years, and they went through the process of having a gay marriage last month in November.
Following their gay marriage Broadway attempted to gain access to the spouses club at Fort Bragg, but was denied, sparking a debate as to whether her denial was reasonable.
According to reports, Broadway and Mack are parents of a two year old son and are expecting another baby in just weeks.
Ashley has said, "I was really hurt by the denial. Living for years under 'Don't Ask Don't Tell,' I couldn't be a part of the military family."
She added, "After 'Don't Ask Don't Tell,' I thought, wow, I can finally be part of something, finally give back to the military community in ways other than just writing a check. So it was a blow. A real blow. Here, I thought things were progressing. I was knocked back down," according to NBC News.
However, the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses has maintained that her denial of membership had nothing to do with sexual orientation, but was simply a matter of official documentation and proof of ID.
