Claim your rights

Dr. Roger Hartley. Photo from WCU Political Science Department.

Roger Hartley, professor of  political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University, published an opinion piece in Mountain Xpress yesterday on gay marriage and rights.

 “The Supreme Court made a historic decision this past term when it struck down a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, recognizing that legally married same-sex couples have the same legal rights as my partner and I do. There are more than 1,100 specific benefits that provide substantial economic value to families, including children. The Windsor case, as it is known, raises many questions about who gets those benefits. To date, it’s the most significant domino to fall in the push for full equality for LGBTQ couples and individuals. “

In his piece, Hartley raises multiple questions on federal benefits for same-sex couples in many different situations.  He targets the Windsor case as the primary component in all of the national debate and how its application will be crucial to same-sex couples claiming equal rights.

So, what stance does Hartley take on all of this?  What point of view is he offering?

Read the full article here to find out.