A happy Irish American lesbian couple are finally free to start a family with the help of the long denied financial security and health benefits afforded by new federal marriage rights.
According to the New York Post Captain Tricia Connelly, 33 — a Marine who fought in Afghanistan and is now stationed in Bahrain — and her wife Nicole Connelly, 37, plan to have a baby now that they are no longer denied the same military perks their heterosexual counterparts are.
'This is a big deal!' Nicole Connelly, a teacher at PS 19 in the East Village, told the Post.
Before DOMA was struck down, 'When she was deployed I couldn't go see a doctor on base because I don’t have a spousal ID card,' Nicole said.
'I can now receive a pension, medical benefits, I’m next of kin,' she added, developments that will save gay couples thousands of dollars and bring them into line with opposite sex married couples.
The couple reportedly married in January at the Brooklyn Municipal Building.
Tricia, who is an NYPD cop in the 13th Precinct, was deployed just weeks later. Now her wife Nicole will also begin receiving military stipends for married couples. They will finally be able to avail of a housing allowance and spousal separation pay.
The couple told the Post they plan to have a baby in summer 2014.
The couple met in Charlotte, NC, in 2002 while Nicole was a bartender and rookie teacher.
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