Condi Hates Gays

Okay, that's probably not specifically true. But it's clear that the Secretary of State's office is being used to harass gays and lesbians.

Joan and Vicki Bagnell married two years ago and took a new last name that now appears on their licenses and Social Security cards. But in January, as the couple planned a trip to Turks and Caicos, they applied for passports and were denied.

A spokeswoman for the State Department told Team 5 that gay married couples can wait until five years after their name change and then apply for a new passport or apply using their old names with their new names listed in a special "also known as" section.

The Bagnells chose the later option, but now they're out of luck. The State Department has sent the couple a letter saying their application is being filed without further action. Their fees are nonrefundable, and they must reapply if they still want to obtain a passport.

TheBostonChannel.com
Gay Couple Hits Hurdles Applying For Passports
State Department Won't Recognize Same-Sex Marriage
POSTED: 5:32 pm EDT June 27, 2006
UPDATED: 5:52 pm EDT June 27, 2006

BOSTON -- A Whitman couple said Tuesday that their situation has gone from bad to worse since they applied for passports as a married couple.

NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported that they said the rules are different because they are gay. As Team 5 first reported, they were denied based on the fact that the federal government does not recognize their same-sex union or their name changes.

Joan and Vicki Bagnell married two years ago and took a new last name that now appears on their licenses and Social Security cards.

But in January, as the couple planned a trip to Turks and Caicos, they applied for passports and were denied.

"The federal government says that they don't recognize same-sex marriage. Why would they change our names on the Social Security cards and issue us Social Security cards with our married name on it?" Vicki Bagnell said.

A spokeswoman for the State Department told Team 5 that gay married couples can wait until five years after their name change and then apply for a new passport or apply using their old names with their new names listed in a special "also known as" section.

The Bagnells chose the later option, but now they're out of luck. The State Department has sent the couple a letter saying their application is being filed without further action. Their fees are nonrefundable, and they must reapply if they still want to obtain a passport.

Bagnells said they are outraged at the prospect of paying another $210 in fees.

Team 5 made several attempts to reach the State Department, but the calls have not been returned.

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