Gays fight federal marriage ban

Waterford, Conn. (WTNH) - Gay and lesbian couples in four states, including Connecticut, are taking on the federal government. Two lawsuits have been filed on their behalf, challenging a 1996 law denying them federal benefits.

Joanne Pedersen and Ann Meitzen have been legally married in Connecticut since 2008. Like most married couples, they share a house, they have pets, they share the maintenance and upkeep around their home. But one thing they can't share are Joanne's medical benefits, even though they live in a state recognizes same sex marriage.

"And people are 'how can that be? You're married in Connecticut, and your marriage is legal.' And we say, 'but Joanne is a retired Federal Employee. This is part of the Defense of Marriage Act.' And they're like 'are you kidding? That's not fair' and clearly it's not fair," Ann explained.

We first met them this morning, at a news conference in Hartford, where several same sex couples, along with the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders -- better known as GLAD -- announced today's federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. They say the 1996 law denies them spousal benefits -- like family health insurance, joint tax returns, and retirement benefits, -- which means Ann Meitzen continues to work full time to keep her health insurance -- despite a chronic lung condition.

Her wife, Joanne Pedersen, is the lawsuit's lead plaintiff.

"They do not recognize Ann as my spouse. And it's going to hurt in the end, because she can't afford to retire. Medical benefits for her to get privately are very costly. The chronic conditions that she has are really tough," Joanne said.

Any law, any policy, any oversight under the federal government that includes a mention of the word family -- they say -- automatically means gay and lesbian couples are disqualified. The attorney heading up this lawsuit says if it makes it to the U.S. Supreme court, it will be 2013 at the earliest. Pederson and Meitzen say it's worth the wait.